Method and apparatus for multimedia communications with different user terminals

• US 8,135,398 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2011
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovation Sciences, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sellerbid Incorporated (Innovation Sciences, LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Tiehong, Wang, Ning, Wang, Ximing, Wang, Tiejun, Halal, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUA, QUAN M
• Application Number:
  US13/067,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20110211113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/426.1, 455/416, 709/250, 709/249, 709/228, 725/62
• US Class Current: 455/426.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 : additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• 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 21/4402 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4784 : receiving rewards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/182 : Network node acting on behalf of an other network entity, e.g. proxy

Abstract

Multimedia communications with cross-layer optimization in multimedia communications with different user terminals. Various optimization for the delivery of multimedia content across different channels are provided concurrently to a plurality of user terminals.

Claims

1. A method for conversion and sending of content to devices, the method comprising:

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location, wherein the multimedia content item is received through a wireless communication network and from a wireless terminal device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to a determined signal format of the destination device; and

sending the converted multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television, and wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a predetermined processing category for the multimedia content item, wherein converting the multimedia content item is performed according to the predetermined processing category.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined processing category identifies a communication protocol, a signal format, and an address for the destination device, wherein the converting of the multimedia content item is performed according to the signal format, and wherein the sending of the converted multimedia content item uses the address and the communication protocol.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined processing category prompts addressing, conversion and routing to the television through a network connection.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined processing category prompts routing to the television through an HDMI input of the television.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving other multimedia content item sourced from a media capture device of the television; and

transmitting the other multimedia content item to an other destination device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the other multimedia content item to the other destination device is through a cellular communication network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular communication network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the converted multimedia content item in a non-volatile computer storage medium; and

routing the stored, converted multimedia content item to an input of the television.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless terminal device is a cellular phone.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by an intermediary device between the cellular phone and the destination device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by a mobile device that further comprises the wireless terminal device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined signal format is a high definition format of the destination device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the resolution of the high definition format is 720 p or greater.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said converting the multimedia content item comprises increasing resolution of the multimedia content item to the high definition format.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises managing a communication path for said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein said managing includes initiating the communication path, and said initiating the communication path includes engaging in an authentication procedure with the destination device prior to said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device over the communication path.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the communication path implements an HDMI connection to the destination device.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises initiating a communication path for said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein said initiating the communication path includes engaging in an authentication procedure with the destination device prior to said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device over the communication path.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the communication path implements an HDMI connection to the destination device.

27. The method of claim 2, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises initiating a communication path that is configured according to the predetermined processing category.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless terminal device resides in a mobile device.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless terminal device resides in the destination device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by one or more devices within the destination device.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia content item is received from a cell phone and the multimedia content item is high-resolution graphics appropriate for display on the cell phone.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing and routing the multimedia content item.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network is a WIFI network.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by the mobile device and an intermediary device between the mobile device and the destination device.

35. The method of claim 20, wherein said converting the multimedia content item comprises encoding the multimedia content item to HDMI format.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia content item is high-resolution graphics appropriate for display on a cell phone screen.

10. An apparatus for conversion and sending of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a designated location and destined for a destination device located within the designated location, wherein the multimedia content item is received through a wireless communication network and from a wireless terminal device;

means for converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to a determined signal format of the destination device; and

means for sending the converted multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television, and wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

11. A method performed by a centralized HUB system located within a designated location, for converting and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the method comprising:

receiving, by the centralized HUB system, a first multimedia content item originated from a first source located outside the designated location and destined for a destination device, the first multimedia content item being received following a communication from the centralized HUB system to the first source in response to a request received by the centralized HUB system from a wireless device separate from the destination device;

converting, by the centralized HUB system, the first multimedia content item for reproduction according to a signal format for the destination device;

routing, by the centralized HUB system, the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using an address and a communications protocol for the destination device;

receiving, by the centralized HUB system, a second multimedia content item originated from a second source through a wireless communication network; and

sending the second multimedia content item to the destination device;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device,

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

66. The method of claim 11, wherein the centralized HUB system routes addresses between EP and cellular telephone number.

67. The method of claim 11, wherein the centralized HUB system receives the request through a wireless channel, wherein the wireless channel includes one or more of Bluetooth, UWB, and/or NFC.

68. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a third multimedia content item destined for another destination device located outside the designated location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the other destination device;

converting the third multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

routing the converted multimedia content item to the other destination device using the determined address and communications protocol.

69. The method of claim 11, wherein the first multimedia content item is received in connection with a data package that identifies the destination device.

70. The method of claim 11, wherein a mapping table maps the destination device to an appropriate communications protocol, signal format and address.

71. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing the converted multimedia content item in a non-volatile computer storage medium.

72. The method of claim 11, wherein the HUB System is a module resident in the destination device.

73. The method of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication network through which the second multimedia content item is received includes a cellular network.

74. The method of claim 11, wherein the first multimedia content item is received through a wireless communication network.

75. The method of claim 11, wherein the wireless device is a mobile terminal.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code for converting and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, by a centralized HUB system located within a designated location, the program code including instructions executable by a processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, by the centralized HUB system, a first multimedia content item originated from a first source located outside the designated location and destined for a destination device, the first multimedia content item being received following a communication from the centralized HUB system to the first source in response to a request received by the centralized HUB system from a wireless device separate from the destination device;

converting, by the centralized HUB system, the first multimedia content item for reproduction according to a signal format for the destination device;

routing, by the centralized HUB system, the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using an address and a communications protocol for the destination device;

receiving, by the centralized HUB system, a second multimedia content item originated from a second source through a wireless communication network; and

sending the second multimedia content item to the destination device;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device,

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

76. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the centralized HUB system routes addresses between IP and cellular telephone number.

77. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the centralized HUB system receives the request through a wireless channel, wherein the wireless channel includes one or more of Bluetooth, UWB, and/or NFC.

78. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a third multimedia content item destined for another destination device located outside the designated location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the other destination device;

converting the third multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

routing the converted multimedia content item to the other destination device using the determined address and communications protocol.

79. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the first multimedia content item is received in connection with a data package that identifies the destination device.

80. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein a mapping table maps the destination device to an appropriate communications protocol, signal format and address.

81. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the HUB System is a module resident in the destination device.

82. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication network through which the second multimedia content item is received includes a cellular network.

83. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the first multimedia content item is received through the wireless communication network.

84. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the wireless device is a mobile terminal.

13. A centralized HUB system for converting and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the centralized HUB system configured for location within a designated location, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory storing program code executable by the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving, by the centralized HUB system, a first multimedia content item originated from a first source located outside the designated location and destined for a destination device, the first multimedia content item being received following a communication from the centralized HUB system to the first source in response to a request received by the centralized HUB system from a wireless device separate from the destination device;

converting, by the centralized HUB system, the first multimedia content item for reproduction according to a signal format for the destination device;

routing, by the centralized HUB system, the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using an address and a communications protocol for the destination device;

receiving, by the centralized HUB system, a second multimedia content item originated from a second source through a wireless communication network; and

sending the second multimedia content item to the destination device;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device,

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

85. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the centralized HUB system routes addresses between IP and cellular telephone number.

86. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the centralized HUB system receives the request through a wireless channel, wherein the wireless channel includes one or more of Bluetooth, UWB, and/or NFC.

87. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a third multimedia content item destined for another destination device located outside the designated location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the other destination device;

converting the third multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

routing the converted multimedia content item to the other destination device using the determined address and communications protocol.

88. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the first multimedia content item is received in connection with a data package that identifies the destination device.

89. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein a mapping table maps the destination device to an appropriate communications protocol, signal format and address.

90. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the HUB System is a module resident in the destination device.

91. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication network through which the second multimedia content item is received includes a cellular network.

92. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the first multimedia content item is received through a wireless communication network.

93. The centralized HUB system of claim 13, wherein the wireless device is a mobile terminal.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code for converting and sending of content to devices, program code being executable by a processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a designated location and destined for a destination device located within the designated location, wherein the multimedia content item is received through a wireless communication network and from a wireless terminal device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to a determined signal format of the destination device; and

sending the converted multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television, and wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device,

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational, command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining a predetermined processing category for the multimedia content item, wherein converting the multimedia content item is performed according to the predetermined processing category.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the predetermined processing category identifies a communication protocol, a signal format, and an address for the destination device, wherein the converting of the multimedia content item is performed according to the signal format, and wherein the sending of the converted multimedia content item uses the address and the communication protocol.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the predetermined processing category prompts addressing, conversion and routing to the television through a network connection.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the predetermined processing category prompts routing to the television through an HDMI input of the television.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular communication network.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the wireless terminal device is a cellular phone.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 42, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by an intermediary device between the cellular phone and the destination device.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by a mobile device that further comprises the wireless terminal device.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 44, wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the determined signal format is a high definition format of the destination device.

47. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises managing a communication path for said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein said managing includes initiating the communication path, and said initiating the communication path includes engaging in an authentication procedure with the destination device prior to said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device over the communication path.

48. The computer readable medium of claim 47, wherein the communication path implements an HDMI connection to the destination device.

49. The computer readable medium of claim 44, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises initiating a communication path for said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein said initiating the communication path includes engaging in an authentication procedure with the destination device prior to said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device over the communication path.

50. The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein the communication path implements an HDMI connection to the destination device.

51. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises initiating a communication path that is configured according to the predetermined processing category.

52. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the wireless terminal device resides in a mobile device.

53. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the multimedia content item is received from a cell phone and the multimedia content item is high-resolution graphics appropriate for display on the cell phone.

54. The computer readable medium of claim 52, wherein said receiving the multimedia content item, said converting the multimedia content item and said sending the converted multimedia content item are performed by the mobile device and an intermediary device between the mobile device and the destination device.

15. A wireless terminal apparatus for converting and sending of content to devices, the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, the memory storing program code executable by a processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a designated location and destined for a destination device located within the designated location, wherein the multimedia content item is received through a wireless communication network by the wireless terminal apparatus;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to a determined signal format of the destination device; and

sending the converted multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television, and wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device,

and transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for the destination device to display the multimedia content item in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

55. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining a predetermined processing category for the multimedia content item, wherein converting the multimedia content item is performed according to the predetermined processing category.

56. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 55, wherein the predetermined processing category identifies a communication protocol, a signal format, and an address for the destination device, wherein the converting of the multimedia content item is performed according to the signal format, and wherein the sending of the converted multimedia content item uses the address and the communication protocol.

57. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 55, wherein the predetermined processing category prompts addressing, conversion and routing to the television through a network connection.

58. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 55, wherein the predetermined processing category prompts routing to the television through an HDMI input of the television.

59. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular communication network.

60. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wireless terminal apparatus is a cellular phone.

61. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 15, wherein the determined signal format is a high definition format of the destination device.

62. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 15, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises managing a communication path for said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein said managing includes initiating the communication path, and said initiating the communication path includes engaging in an authentication procedure with the destination device prior to said transporting the multimedia content item to the destination device over the communication path.

63. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 62, wherein the communication path implements an HDMI connection to the destination device.

64. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 55, wherein said establishing the predetermined channel comprises initiating a communication path that is configured according to the predetermined processing category.

65. The wireless terminal apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wireless terminal apparatus receives the multimedia content item from a cell phone and the multimedia content item is high-resolution graphics appropriate for display on the cell phone.