Audio receiver modular card and method thereof

• US 8,635,659 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walter, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Chung, Jason J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dubasky, Gigi L
• Application Number:
  US11/166,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20060290814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,133 Days
• Field of Search: 725 80- 81, 725/89, 725/95, 725/102, 725/109, 725/112, 725/134, 715705-711, 715723-728
• US Class Current: 725/151
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• 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 21/42204 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 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43607 Interfacing a plurality of external cards, e.g. through a DVB Common Interface [DVB-CI]
• 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 21/439 : Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• 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 21/4781 : Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 : for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 : by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/46 : for receiving on more than one standard at will deflecting circuits of multi-standard receivers H04N3/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 : for the sound signals

Abstract

A television and a method are provided. The television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, a first modular card receptacle coupled to the first network interface, and an audio receiver modular card coupled to the first modular card receptacle, the audio receiver modular card to process audio data, wherein the television is operable to display video content on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a television comprising;

a display;

a control interface configured to receive control signals from a plurality of interface controls, wherein the plurality of interface controls is provided on at least one of a housing of the television and a remote control;

a display controller configured to;

receive processed content associated with media content received from one or more external media content sources; and

present the processed content at the display within five seconds of a power-up request;

a first network interface to a private network associated with a service provider;

a first modular card receptacle, wherein the first modular card receptacle is coupled to the first network interface, to the control interface, and to the display controller; and

an audio receiver modular card coupled to the first modular card receptacle and configured to;

process audio content associated with or included in the media content received from the one or more external media content sources to produce processed audio content; and

initiate transmission of the processed audio content to one or more network devices based on a threshold number of network devices authorized to receive the media content, wherein, when the processed audio content corresponds to multimedia content received from the service provider via the private network and the one or more network devices includes a second television, the processed audio content is transmitted to the second television via the private network, wherein the second television disables decoding and decryption components to reduce power consumption of the second television.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio receiver modular card comprises at least a first audio input to receive the audio content from one or more external media content sources.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more external media content sources comprises at least one of a portable music player, a digital versatile disk player, a satellite audio receiver, and a compact disk player.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio receiver modular card comprises at least one audio output that is accessible at an external surface of the housing of the television.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one audio output comprises at least one of a rear left speaker output, a rear right speaker output, a front left speaker output, a front right speaker output, and a center output.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the audio receiver modular card is further configured to:

receive a selection of an audio source from a plurality of audio sources in response to a control signal received via the control interface;

in response to receiving the selection, store audio content received from the selected audio source in a buffer;

provide display content to the display controller, wherein the display content is associated with operational settings of the audio receiver modular card, and wherein the display controller presents the display content at the display; and

respond to signals received via the control interface to modify the operational settings.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio receiver modular card comprises a radio frequency tuner.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio content is received at the television via the first network interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the audio content is received as part of a multimedia data stream.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the television further comprises:

a second modular card receptacle coupled to the audio receiver modular card, to the control interface, and to the display controller; and

a wireless network interface modular card configured to wirelessly transmit data via one or more networks, wherein the wireless network interface modular card is coupled to the second modular card receptacle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the television further comprises:

a third modular card receptacle coupled to the first network interface; and

a decoder modular card coupled to the third modular card receptacle, wherein the decoder modular card is configured to;

receive the multimedia content via the first network interface;

process the received multimedia content to produce processed multimedia content; and

initiate transmission of the processed multimedia content to one or more other televisions based on a threshold number of televisions authorized to receive the multimedia content.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the decoder modular card is further configured to:

receive a decryption key, wherein the received multimedia content includes encrypted multimedia content, and wherein the received multimedia content is decrypted using the decryption key to produce the processed multimedia content; and

receive an indicator that identifies the threshold number of televisions authorized to receive the multimedia content, wherein the processed multimedia content is transmitted to the one or more other televisions via the private network, and wherein the one or more other televisions are configured to receive and present the processed multimedia content at one or more displays without decrypting the processed multimedia content.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processed content is displayed within two seconds of receiving the power-up request.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more external media content sources includes at least a media content service provider.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processed content is video data.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing of the audio content to produce the processed audio content includes decrypting the audio content using an audio content decryption key, wherein the one or more network devices do not include a decoding and decrypting capability, and wherein the one or more network devices are configured to initiate play back of the processed audio without performing a decoding operation and a decrypting operation.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a media content services provider charges a subscriber associated with the television a fee for transmitting the processed audio content to the one or more network devices.

18. A method comprising:

configuring an audio receiver modular card to incorporate functions of an audio receiver component into a television device when the audio receiver modular card is inserted into a first modular card receptacle within a housing of the television device, wherein the functions of the audio receiver component include;

receiving audio content from a plurality of audio sources that includes at least one audio source located within the housing of the television device and at least one audio source located external to the housing of the television device;

receiving a selection of an audio source;

in response to receiving the selection, buffering audio content that is received from the selected audio source;

providing display content to a display controller of the television device, wherein the display content is associated with operational settings of the audio receiver modular card, and wherein the display controller presents the display content at a display of the television device;

responding to signals received via a control interface to modify the operational settings;

processing the audio content that is received from the selected audio source to produce processed audio content; and

initiating transmission of the processed audio content to one or more additional network devices based on a threshold number of network devices authorized to receive the audio content, wherein, when the processed audio content corresponds to multimedia content received from a service provider via a private network associated with the service provider and the one or more additional network devices includes an additional television device, the processed audio content is transmitted to the additional television device via the private network, wherein the additional television device disables decoding and decryption components to reduce power consumption of the additional television device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one audio source located external to the housing of the television device comprises at least one of a portable music player, a digital versatile disk player, a satellite audio receiver, and a compact disk player.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a radio frequency tuner is incorporated into the audio receiver modular card and is controlled via the control interface.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the audio content is processed based on the operational settings.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing the processed audio content to a wired speaker system for playback, a wireless communications modular card removably received in a second modular card receptacle within the housing of the television device for transmission to a wireless speaker system for playback, or any combination thereof.

23. A multimedia system comprising:

a television within a housing, the television including;

a display;

a plurality of interface controls;

a television receiver having one or more inputs to receive an audiovisual television signal, wherein the television receiver is configured to display video content associated with the audiovisual television signal on the display and to generate audio content associated with the audiovisual television signal;

a network interface configured to communicate with a network; and

a plurality of modular card receptacles within the housing, wherein each of the plurality of modular card receptacles is configured to;

removably receive one of a plurality of modular cards within the housing;

enable each of the plurality of modular cards to communicate with others of the plurality of modular cards, the television, and the network interface to enable communication with the network, wherein operation of each of the plurality of modular cards is configurable;

an audio receiver modular card removably coupled to a first modular card receptacle of the plurality of modular card receptacles, wherein the audio receiver modular card is configured to;

process the audio content associated with or included in the audiovisual television signal to produce processed audio content; and

initiate transmission of the processed audio content to one or more additional television devices based on a threshold number of television devices authorized to receive the audiovisual television signal, wherein, when the processed audio content corresponds to multimedia content received at the network interface from a service provider via a private network associated with the service provider, the processed audio content is transmitted to the one or more additional television devices via the private network using the network interface, wherein each of the one or more additional television devices disables decoding and decryption components to reduce power consumption;

a wireless transmission modular card removably coupled to a second modular card receptacle of the plurality of modular card receptacles and configured to wirelessly transmit data via a wireless network; and

a game console modular card removably coupled to a third modular card receptacle of the plurality of modular card receptacles and configured to incorporate functions of a game console.