System and method for retrieving information while commanding operation of an appliance

• US 9,066,041 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hilbrink, Marcel, Hayes, Patrick H., Black, Jeremy K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Khan, Omer S
• Application Number:
  US13/801,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20140098299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 340/12.22, 340/12.31, 348/734
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• 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 21/42204 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 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• 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 21/440263 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57

Abstract

Media rendering system including a remote control device and associated docking station. The remote control device interfaces with a remote server to stream media content for local and/or external playback. The remote control device may interface with a docking station to playback rendered media on one or more entertainment appliances. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability in order to enable advanced features and functions for media playback.

Claims

1. A method for causing an appliance to play streaming media, comprising:

receiving at a portable electronic device a media stream;

causing the portable electronic device to route the received media stream for a playing of the received media stream on the portable electronic device;

detecting by that the portable electronic device that the portable electronic device has been placed into communication with the appliance; and

in response to the portable electronic device detecting that the portable electronic device has been placed into communication with the appliance;

causing the portable electronic device to automatically reroute the received media stream for a playing of the received media stream on the appliance instead of routing the received media stream for the playing of the received media steam on the portable electronic device;

causing the appliance to be automatically placed into an operating state appropriate for the playing of the received media stream on the appliance comprises causing the appliance to be automatically placed into a powered on state.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is placed into communication with the appliance via use a wireless communications protocol.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the wireless communications protocol comprises a radio frequency protocol.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device comprises commands transmittable to the appliance to control functional operations of the appliance.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the commands transmittable to the appliance include a power on and a power off command.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a television.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising causing the portable electronic device to receive the media stream from a server device via a wide area network.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising causing the portable electronic device to receive the media stream from a server device via a local area network.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein causing the appliance to be automatically placed into the powered on state comprises causing the portable electronic device to automatically transmit a power control command to the appliance.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein causing the appliance to be automatically placed into the operating state appropriate for the playing of the received media stream on the appliance further comprises causing the appliance to be automatically placed into a selected input mode state.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein causing the appliance to be automatically placed into a selected input mode state comprises causing the portable electronic device to automatically transmit an input mode selection command to the appliance.