Apparatus for viewing full version of content contained therein on a nearby display screen

• US 8,442,427 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2012
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Slotznick, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US13/563,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20120299924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 455/2.01, 455/3.05, 455419-420, 455/526.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/566, 455405-408, 348/14.02, 348/14.05, 348/734, 725 1- 2, 725/62, 725109-112, 725/133, 725/141, 725/153
• US Class Current: 455/3.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/215 by non-intrusive coupling means, e.g. acoustic couplers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• 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 21/41265 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 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for viewing full content on a display screen. The apparatus includes a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device. The portable device includes a memory that stores the full content; a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content; a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen; and a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button. The signal is received by the local control device which provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content as digital data,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content as digital data between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicates the full content as digital data from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button; and

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content as digital data to the nearby display screen for display thereon,

wherein the digital data of the full content that is stored in the memory, communicated to the local control device, and received by the local control device is the same digital data that is provided to the nearby display screen by the local control device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the full content is a truncated or cutoff version of the full content.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the full content is a thumbnail or keyhole of the full content.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the full content is a compressed or low resolution version of the full content.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the full content that is stored in the portable device is retrieved from a remote source.

6. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button; and

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon, wherein the local control device includes a payment module which tracks usage charges for providing the full content to the nearby display screen, and wherein the portable device communicates customer identity information to the payment module, and wherein the payment module is adapted to inhibit at least one of the following actions from occurring unless the payment module properly authorizes the portable device to use the nearby display screen for viewing the full content;

(i) communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device, and,

(ii) receiving, by the local control device, the signal and providing the full content to the nearby display screen.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the portable device is a telephone device and the customer identity information is the telephone number of the telephone device.

8. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button; and

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon,

wherein the full content is visual or multi-media content, and the portion of the full content is a text-only version of the visual or multi-media content.

9. A system for viewing full content on a display screen, the system comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content as digital data,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content as digital data between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicates the full content as digital data from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button;

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content as digital data to the nearby display screen for display thereon; and

(c) the nearby display screen,

wherein the digital data of the full content that is stored in the memory, communicated to the local control device, and received by the local control device is the same digital data that is provided to the nearby display screen by the local control device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the portion of the full content is a truncated or cutoff version of the full content.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the portion of the full content is a thumbnail or keyhole of the full content.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the portion of the full content is a compressed or low resolution version of the full content.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the full content that is stored in the portable device is retrieved from a remote source.

14. A system for viewing full content on a display screen, the system comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button;

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon, wherein the local control device includes a payment module which tracks usage charges for providing the full content to the nearby display screen, and wherein the portable device communicates customer identity information to the payment module, and wherein the payment module is adapted to inhibit at least one of the following actions from occurring unless the payment module properly authorizes the portable device to use the nearby display screen for viewing the full content;

(i) communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device, and,

(ii) receiving, by the local control device, the signal and providing the full content to the nearby display screen; and

(c) the nearby display screen.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the portable device is a telephone device and the customer identity information is the telephone number of the telephone device.

16. A system for viewing full content on a display screen, the system comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button;

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon; and

(c) the nearby display screen,

wherein the full content is visual or multi-media content, and the portion of the full content is a text-only version of the visual or multi-media content.

17. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including:

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicates the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button, wherein the signal is received by the local control device which provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon,

wherein the local control device includes a payment module which tracks usage charges for providing the full content to the nearby display screen, and wherein the portable device communicates customer identity information to the payment module, and wherein the payment module is adapted to inhibit at least one of the following actions from occurring unless the payment module properly authorizes the portable device to use the nearby display screen for viewing the full content;

(i) communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device, and,

(ii) receiving, by the local control device, the signal and providing the full content to the nearby display screen.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the portable device is a telephone device and the customer identity information is the telephone number of the telephone device.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the local control device includes a decoder that converts the signal received from the portable device into a format for viewing by the nearby display screen.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the portion of the full content is a truncated or cutoff version of the full content.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the portion of the full content is a thumbnail or keyhole of the full content.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the portion of the full content is a compressed or low resolution version of the full content.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the full content that is stored in the portable device is retrieved from a remote source.

24. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including:

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button, wherein the signal is received by the local control device which provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon,

wherein the full content is visual or multi-media content, and the portion of the full content is a text-only version of the visual or multi-media content.

25. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button; and

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon,

wherein the portion of the full content is a keyhole of the full content or a truncated or cutoff version of the full content.

26. A system for viewing full content on a display screen, the system comprising:

(a) a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including;

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button;

(b) the local control device which receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon; and

(c) the nearby display screen,

wherein the portion of the full content is a keyhole of the full content or a truncated or cutoff version of the full content.

27. An apparatus for viewing full content on a display screen, the apparatus comprising a portable device adapted to allow viewing of full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the portable device, the portable device including:

(i) a memory that stores the full content,

(ii) a display screen that displays only a portion of the full content,

(iii) a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the portable device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and

(iv) a wireless transmitter that communicating the full content from the portable device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button,

wherein the signal is received by the local control device which provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon,

wherein the portion of the full content is a keyhole of the full content or a truncated or cutoff version of the full content.