Method and system to share media content between devices via near field communication (NFC) and wireless communication

• US 8,572,257 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2009
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syndefense
• Original Assignee: Robin Dua
• Inventors: Dua, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): Gillis, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US12/623,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20100095337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,437 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/227, 709/228, 725/110, 725/114, 725/139, 725/151, 725/153
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/106 across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• 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 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• 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 21/43635 : HDMI
• 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 21/44004 : involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440218 : by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 conversion of standards in analogue television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 : using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/462 : Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• 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 21/472 : End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication

Abstract

A media storage and access system and methodology including a set-top box which receives and processes a plurality of signal sources and makes programming available locally through connected devices or via a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The system also integrates a multimedia storage system that allows programming content to be digitally stored. The system utilizes an integrated digital storage system and operating software to allow users to view a broadcast program (e.g., television, radio, etc.) with the option of instantly reviewing previous segments within the program. In addition, the system allows the user to store selected media programming while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. The system also allows stored media assets to be accessed locally via a media device connected to the unit or remotely via the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of sharing data between a media device and a media controller, the method comprising:

requesting, with the least one of the media device and the media controller, at least one of device descriptive data, communication configuration information, and media information from the other of the media device or the media controller via a Near Field Communication (NFC) communication link to instantiate a wireless communication link between the media controller and the media device;

receiving the at least one of device descriptive data, the communication configuration information, and the media information from a non-requesting device of the at least one of the media device and the media controller via the NFC communication link;

establishing a wireless communication link between the media controller and the media device according to the received communication configuration information, the established wireless communication link being separate from the NFC communication link;

sharing the data between the media device and the media controller over the established wireless communication link independently of a connection state of the NFC communication link; and

registering the media device with the media controller via the NFC communication link to exchange the at least one of the device descriptive data and the communication configuration information so as to enable a media device profile to be stored in a storage device in the media controller to enable the wireless communication link,

wherein the media controller and the media device communicate via at least another wireless communication link using a translatable routable address when the media controller and the media device are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting at least one of user identification information and security information from the media device via the NFC communication link or the established wireless communication link;

receiving the at least one of the user identification information and security information from the media device with the media controller;

authorizing the media device to access media programming via the wireless communication link that is receivable by the media controller; and

accessing the media programming receivable by the media controller with the wireless media device when the at least one of the user identification information and security information is verified.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing media assets of the media device from the media controller via the established wireless communication link; and

outputting at least one of the accessed media assets to an output device coupled to the media controller.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the outputting the at least one of the accessed media assets comprises:

transmitting a first media asset that is selected for playback on the media device to the media controller; and

outputting the first media asset to the output device coupled to the media controller.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing media assets of the media controller from the media device via the established wireless communication link; and

outputting at least one of the accessed media assets to the media device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the outputting the at least one of the accessed media assets comprises:

transmitting a first media asset that is selected for playback on the media controller to the media device; and

outputting the first media asset to the media device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting electronic payment information from the media device to the media controller via the NFC communication link; and

transmitting the electronic payment information from the media controller via a data network to a server to be processed.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitting the electronic payment information comprises transmitting payment account information.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data from the media device to the media controller via the NFC communication link; and

transmitting the at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data from the media controller via a data network to a server to authenticate the user.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

exchanging media assets including at least one of audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, and document data between the media controller and the media device via the established wireless communication link.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving media assets with at least one of the media device and the media controller from another device; and

transmitting the received media assets to a non-receiving device of the at least one of the media device and media controller via the established wireless communication link.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

registering the media device as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) handset with the media controller via the NFC to exchange the at least one of the device descriptive data and the communication configuration information so as to originate or terminate VOIP calls with the media device via the media controller, where the media controller includes an interface to a communications network.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting electronic payment information from the media device to a remote control via another NFC communication link;

transmitting the electronic payment information from the remote control to the media controller;

and

transmitting the electronic payment information from the media controller via a data network to a server to be processed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitting the electronic payment information comprises transmitting payment account information.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data from the media device to a remote control via another NFC communication link;

transmitting the at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data from the remote control to the media controller; and

transmitting the at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data from the media controller via a data network to a server to authenticate the user.

16. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a media controller including;

a Near Field Communication (NFC) module including a first NFC tag and a first NFC reader to selectively retrieve and provide at least one of device descriptive data, communication configuration information, and media information via a NFC communication link; and

a first wireless communication transceiver to transmit and receive data via a wireless communication link instantiated according to the selectively retrieved at least one of the device descriptive data, the communication configuration information, and the media information, the wireless communication link being independent of the NFC communication link; and

a media device including;

a second NFC module including at least one of a second NFC tag and a second NFC reader to provide the at least one of the device descriptive data, the communication configuration information, and the media information, via the NFC communication link; and

a second wireless communication transceiver to transmit and receive the data via the wireless communication link,

wherein the media controller registers the media device with the media controller via the NFC communication link to exchange the at least one of the device descriptive data and the communication configuration information so as to enable a media device profile to be stored in the media controller to enable the wireless communication link,

wherein the media controller and the media device communicate via at least another wireless communication link using a translatable routable address when the media controller and the media device are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the media controller box requests at least one of user identification information and security information from the media device via the NFC communication link or the wireless communication link, receives the at least one of the user identification information and security information from the media device with the media controller, and authorizes the media device to access media programming via the wireless communication that is receivable by the media controller via when the at least one of the user identification information and security information is verified.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the media controller further comprises:

an output device coupled to the media controller,

wherein the media controller accesses media assets of the media device via the wireless communication link and outputs at least one of the accessed media assets to the output device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the output device comprises at least one of a display device, a television, an audio device, at least one speaker, and a stereo.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein a first media asset that is selected for playback on the media device is transmitted to the media controller with the second wireless communication transceiver, and where the media controller outputs the first media asset to the output device coupled to the media controller.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the media device accesses media assets of the media controller via the wireless communication link, and the accessed media assets are output by the media device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein a first media asset that is selected for playback on the media controller is transmitted to the media device with the first wireless communication transceiver, and where the media device outputs the first media asset.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein electronic payment information is transmitted from the media device to the media controller via the NFC communication link, and the electronic payment information is transmitted from the media controller a data network to a server to be processed.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the electronic payment information comprises payment account information.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data is transmitted from the media device to the media controller via the NFC communication link, and the at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data is transmitted from the media controller via a data network to a server to authenticate the user.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein media assets including at least one of audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, and document data are transmitted between the media controller and the media device via the wireless communication link.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the media controller comprises:

at least one of an interface to a communications network, the communications network including a device to receive media assets from the device other that the media device, and a storage device to store media assets,

wherein the first wireless communication transceiver transmits at least one of the received media assets and the stored media assets to the media device via the wireless communication link.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the media controller registers the media device as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) handset with the media controller via the NFC communication link to exchange the at least one of the device descriptive data and the communication configuration information so as to originate or terminate VOIP calls with the media device via the media controller, where the media controller includes an interface to a communications network.

29. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a remote control to control at least one operation of the media controller, the remote control including a third NFC module including a third NFC tag and a third NFC reader to provide the at least one of device descriptive data, the communication configuration information, and the media information via the NFC communication link to at least one of the media device and the media controller, the media device to control the at least one operation of the media controller via the second wireless communication transceiver by transmitting control data via the wireless communication link,

wherein the media device transmits data to the remote control via the NFC communication link, which is automatically retransmitted from the remote control to the media controller via a wireless communication link established between the remote control and the media controller, and

wherein the data transmitted from the media device to the remote control via the NFC communication link that is automatically retransmitted from the remote control to the media controller enables a direct wireless communication to be established between the media controller and the media device.

30. A media controller comprising:

a storage device to store at least one electronic media asset;

a Near Field Communication (NFC) module including a NFC tag and a NFC reader to transmit to or receive from a wireless media device at least one of device descriptive data, communication configuration information, and media information via a NFC link; and

a wireless transceiver to transmit the at least one stored media asset that is stored in the storage device via a wireless communication link instantiated according to the obtained at least one of the device descriptive data, the communication configuration information, and the media information,

wherein the media controller registers the wireless media device with the media controller via the NFC communication link to exchange the at least one of the device descriptive data and the communication configuration information so as to enable a media device profile to be stored in the media controller to enable a wireless communication link,

wherein the media controller and the media device communicate via at least another wireless communication link using a translatable routable address when the media controller and the media device are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

31. The media controller of claim 30, further comprising:

an interface to receive at least one of audio data, picture data, video data, audio-video data, program guide information, and media guide information; and

a controller to select the at least one audio data, picture data, video data, audio-video data, program guide information, and media guide information for output to an output device coupled to the media controller.

32. The media controller of claim 31, further comprising:

an output device including at least one of a display, a television, an audio device, at least one speaker, and a stereo to output the selected at least one audio data, picture data, video data, program guide information, and media guide information.

33. The media controller of claim 32, wherein the wireless transceiver transmits at least one of the stored electronic media asset and the at least one received audio data, picture data, video data, program guide information, and media guide information via the interface to the output device using the wireless communication link.

34. The media controller of claim 30, wherein the wireless transceiver outputs a received media asset that is received via the wireless communication link to an output device coupled to the media controller.

35. The media controller of claim 30, wherein the NFC module receives electronic payment information via the NFC communication link, and a communications interface of the media controller transmits the received electronic payment information via a data network to a server to be processed.

36. The media controller of claim 30, wherein the NFC module receives at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data via the NFC communication link, and the received at least one of membership data, loyalty data, and user identification data via the NFC communication link is transmitted from a communications interface of the media controller via a data network to a server to authenticate the user.

37. The media controller of claim 30, further comprising:

a communications interface to originate or terminate Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls,

wherein the media controller registers the media device as a VOIP handset with the media controller via the NFC communication link to exchange communication and device setting data so as to originate or terminate VOIP calls with the media device via the media controller.

38. The media controller of claim 30, further comprising:

a remote control to control at least one operation of the media controller, the remote control including a second NFC module including at least one of a second NFC tag and a second NFC reader to provide at least one of the device descriptive data, the communication configuration information, and media information via the NFC communication link to a media device that includes a third NFC module including at least one of a third NFC tag and a third NFC reader, the media device to control the at least one operation of the media controller via the wireless transceiver by transmitting control data via the wireless communication link,

wherein the media device transmits data to the remote control via the NFC communication link, which is automatically retransmitted from the remote control to the media controller via a wireless communication link established between the remote control and the media controller, and

wherein the data transmitted from the media device to the remote control via the NFC communication link that is automatically retransmitted from the remote control to the media controller enables a direct wireless communication to be established between the media controller and the media device.