Wireless controller wire connectable to output devices such as televisions for accessing digital content and for wireless communication with mobile information apparatus

• US 8,989,064 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Marcus T
• Application Number:
  US11/929,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20080049651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,702 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1203 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1205 resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1208 resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/122 with regard to computing resources, e.g. memory, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1226 Discovery of devices having required properties
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1228 Printing driverless or using generic drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1229 Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1238 Secure printing, e.g. user identification, user rights for device usage, unallowed content, blanking portions or fields of a page, releasing held jobs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1245 by conversion to intermediate or common format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1247 by conversion to printer ready format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1253 Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1258 by updating job settings at the printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/128 Direct printing, e.g. sending document file, using memory stick, printing from a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1286 via local network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 : in client-server-printer device configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 : Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 : Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 : Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/02 : using printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/181 : Receiving print data characterized by its formatting, e.g. particular page description languages
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1836 : Rasterization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 : specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 : Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/30 : Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 : Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00283 : with a television apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 : with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00403 : Voice input means, e.g. voice commands
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 : the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00488 : providing an audible output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00854 : Recognising an unauthorised user or user-associated action
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00938 : Software related arrangements, e.g. loading applications program loading in general G06F9/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32534 : details of interfacing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32582 : Output interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 : involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/442 : using a biometric data reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 : Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 : Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 : Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 : By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 : Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A wireless controller for accessing digital content and connectable externally via a wired connection to output devices, such as televisions, projectors, audio output devices, and printers, is herein disclosed and enabled. The wireless controller may be a box for connecting to a television. To illustrate, connecting the wireless controller to a television makes the television a smart television for accessing digital content via the wireless controller. The wireless controller includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth for accessing a wireless local area network and may establish wireless connections with mobile information apparatus in its vicinity. Subsequent to establishing the wireless connection, the mobile information apparatus may transmit, stream, or mirror digital content to the output devices over the established wireless connection. The wireless controller may collect authentication, payment, or subscription information for accessing some digital content services.

Claims

1. A wireless data output controller method associated with a wireless controller for receiving, over a short range wireless communication, digital content from one or more wireless information apparatus, the wireless controller being externally connectable via a wired connection to an output device for rendering at least part of the digital content received from the one or more wireless information apparatus, the one or more wireless information apparatus being distinct devices from the output device and the wireless controller, the wireless controller including:

a wireless communication unit at the wireless controller for establishing a short range wireless communication with the one or more wireless information apparatus,

a communication interface that is a wired connection and that is externally connectable to the output device for enabling the output device to receive at least part of the digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or any combination, via the wireless controller for rendering at least part of the digital content at the output device, the wireless data output controller method comprising;

establishing a wired connection externally between the wireless controller and the output device with the communication interface of the wireless controller;

establishing, by the wireless communication unit and at the wireless controller, the short range wireless communication for wireless communication with the one or more wireless information apparatus;

broadcasting, by the wireless communication unit and at the wireless controller over said short range wireless communication, the availability of the output device or the wireless controller to receive the digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, from the one or more wireless information apparatus while waiting for the one or more wireless information apparatus to identify the wireless controller or the output device for service;

providing, by the wireless controller and over the short range wireless communication to the one or more wireless information apparatus, at least a device profile that includes at least an identity of the output device or the wireless controller for identification or selection by the one or more wireless information apparatus;

receiving, at the wireless controller and over the short range wireless communication from the one or more wireless information apparatus, an output data stream corresponding to at least part of digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, for rendering at the output device;

passing at least part of the output data from the wireless controller to the output device over the wired connection, said at least part of the output data corresponding to at least part of the digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, received from the one or more wireless information apparatus; and

delivering, by the wireless controller, at least part of the output data from the wireless controller to the output device via the wired connection for rendering of at least part of the digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, at the output device, the wireless controller being a distinct device from the one or more wireless information apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the output device is a television.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the short range wireless communication is compatible, at least partly, with at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital content received at the wireless controller from the one or more information apparatus is accessed at least partly over the Internet by the one or more wireless information apparatus.

5. In a non-transitory computer readable medium, output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in a wireless controller for receiving, over a short range wireless communication, digital content from one or more wireless information apparatus, the wireless controller being externally connectable via a wired connection to an output device for rendering at least part of the digital content that includes video content or audio content, received from the one or more wireless information apparatus for rendering at the output device, the wireless controller including:

a wireless communication unit at the wireless controller for establishing a short range wireless communication with the one or more wireless information apparatus, the wireless controller being a distinct device from the one or more wireless information apparatus;

a communication interface at the wireless controller that is a wired communication connection and that is externally connectable to the output device for enabling the output device to receive at least part of the digital content from the one or more wireless information apparatus via said wireless communication unit of the wireless controller;

wherein the output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in the wireless controller is further operable for;

storing or passing at least part of an attribute or component that includes at least an identity related to the output device or the wireless controller;

establishing a short range wireless communication channel with the one or more wireless information apparatus;

providing, over the short range wireless communication channel and from the wireless controller to the wireless information apparatus, at least part of the attribute or component related to the output device or the wireless controller, said part of the attribute or component includes at least an identity of the output device or the wireless controller;

broadcasting, by the wireless communication unit and at the wireless controller over said short range wireless communication channel, the availability of the output device or the wireless controller while waiting for the one or more wireless information apparatus to identify the wireless controller or the output device for service;

receiving, over the short range wireless communication channel and from the one or more wireless information apparatus, intermediate output data, the intermediate output data corresponding to at least part of the digital content that includes video content, audio content, individually or a combination thereof, and the intermediate output data further including a format or language encoding related to audio or video digital content; and

decoding at least part of the intermediate output data that includes audio or video content received from the one or more wireless information apparatus; and

wherein the output device includes one or more of a television, a projection device, and an audio output device, individually or in any combination, for rendering at least part of the digital content that includes audio or video content.

6. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the wireless communication unit included in the wireless controller is compatible, at least partly, with at least one protocol within at least one of a Bluetooth, an IEEE 802.11, and a wireless standard based on 2.4 GHz frequency, individually or in any combination.

7. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the intermediate output data includes one or more output images and wherein the output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in the wireless controller is further operable at the wireless controller for performing one or more image processing operations on the one or more output images included in the intermediate output data, the one or more image processing operations including one or more of a decompression, a compression, an encryption, and a decryption, individually or in any combination.

8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in the wireless controller is further operable at the wireless controller for conforming the intermediate output data into output data that is encoded in a format or language acceptable for rendering by the output device.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the short range wireless communication is compatible, at least partly, with a protocol within IEEE 802.11, and establishing the short range wireless communication includes connecting the wireless controller to a wireless local area network.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in the wireless controller is further operable at the wireless controller for processing payment or subscription information, or password information for providing services.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in the wireless controller is further operable at the wireless controller for implementing job management functionalities with one or more of data output job queuing or spooling.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 in which the output device is a television and the wireless controller is a digital content output controller that includes an operating system, the operating system enabling installation of additional applications or application software for providing additional functionalities to the wireless controller or to the television.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein the output controller software, firmware, processor, DSP, ASIC, and chipset, individually or in any combination, implemented in the wireless controller is further operable at the wireless controller for providing, over the short range wireless communication channel to the wireless information apparatus, information related to one or more of an output device identification, an intermediate output data indicator, a quality of service indicator, a price indicator, a status indicator, an output device attribute, a rasterization parameter, a format indicator, and a language indicator, individually or in any combination.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein at least part of the digital content received at the wireless controller from the wireless information apparatus is accessed at least partly from or via the Internet by the wireless information apparatus.

15. A wireless controller for receiving, over a short range wireless communication, digital content from one or more wireless information apparatus for rendering at least part of the digital content at an output device that is wired connected to the wireless controller, the one or more wireless information apparatus being distinct devices from the output device and the wireless controller, the wireless controller including:

a wireless communication unit at the wireless controller for short range wireless communication with the one or more wireless information apparatus;

a memory unit for storing data;

software component stored at the memory unit of the wireless controller for implementing functionalities associated with the wireless controller; and

a communication interface that is a wired connection and that is externally connectable to the output device for enabling the output device to receive digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, over the wireless communication unit of the wireless controller, the wireless controller being further operable for;

establishing a wired connection externally between the wireless controller and the output device with the communication interface of the wireless controller;

establishing, by the wireless communication unit and at the wireless controller, a short range wireless communication channel between the wireless controller and the one or more wireless information apparatus;

managing, by the wireless communication unit and at the wireless controller, the short range wireless communication channel for short range wireless communication with the one or more wireless information apparatus;

broadcasting, by the wireless communication unit and at the wireless controller over said short range wireless communication channel, the availability of the output device or the wireless controller while waiting for the one or more wireless information apparatus to identify the wireless controller or the output device for service;

implementing a security procedure by the wireless controller for enabling a restricted short range wireless communication channel between the wireless controller and the one or more wireless information apparatus;

receiving, by the wireless controller and over the restricted short range wireless communication channel, at least part of digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, from the one or more information apparatus for rendering at the output device;

conforming at least part of the digital content at the wireless controller into output data, the output data corresponding to at least part of the digital content that includes video content, audio content, or document content, individually or in any combination, and the output data encoding or conforming to one or more data formats, language or instructions suitable for delivering to the output device via the wired connection for rendering at the output device; and

delivering at least part of the output data from the wireless controller to the output device via the wired connection for rendering at least part of the digital content at the output device, the wireless controller being a distinct device from the one or more wireless information apparatus.

16. The wireless controller of claim 15 wherein the output device is a printing device, a television, a projection device, or an output device, individually or in any combination.

17. The wireless controller of claim 15 wherein the short range wireless communication channel is compatible with at least one protocol within at least one of a Bluetooth, an IEEE 802.11, infrared, and a 2.4 GHz frequency protocol, individually or in any combination.

18. The wireless controller of claim 15 wherein the short range wireless communication is compatible, at least partly, with a protocol within IEEE 802.11, and establishing the short range wireless communication channel includes connecting the wireless controller to a wireless local area network via a control point in a local area network.

19. The wireless controller of claim 15 wherein the wireless controller is a media controller that includes an operating system for enabling installation of additional applications or application software for providing additional functionalities to the wireless controller or the output device, and wherein the output device is a television.

20. The wireless controller of claim 15 wherein the short range wireless communication is compatible, at least partly, with a protocol within IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth, and establishing the short range wireless communication channel includes direct wireless communication between the wireless controller and the one or more wireless information apparatus.