Wireless output devices or wireless controllers that support wireless device discovery for establishing wireless connectivity

• US 10,037,178 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2016
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• 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:
  US15/348,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20170064746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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

Output devices supporting wireless device discovery are herein disclosed and enabled. To setup an output device for wireless connection, wireless device discovery is performed by a client of the output device to discover the output device. Upon being discovered, the output device may provide identification or information related to the output device to the client for establishing a wireless connection. Subsequently, the output device may receive, via the established wireless connection, digital content from the client for output. Wireless device discovery operations may be based on one or more of a close proximity wireless communication, a Bluetooth wireless communication, or a wireless communication compatible with a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards. Security information, such as a password, biometrics, or a PIN, may be required for establishing the wireless connection. The output device may automatically obtain the security information from the client or may be based, in part, on user input.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for an output device to establish a wireless communication link with a client of the output device, the output device includes one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication and memory storing at least an attribute or identification information related to the output device, the wireless communication method comprising:

(1) facilitating, by the one or more wireless communication units within the output device, a wireless device discovery operation for the output device to wirelessly discover the client or for the output device to be wirelessly discoverable by the client;

(2) transmitting, via the one or more wireless communication units within the output device, at least the attribute or the identification information related to the output device from the output device to the client, the transmitting of the attribute or identification information being subsequent to the wireless device discovery operation in (1);

(3) implementing, at the output device, a security procedure or an authentication procedure for establishing a wireless communication link between the output device and the client, the implementing of the security procedure or the authentication procedure being subsequent to transmitting the attribute or the identification information from the output device to the client in (2), and the security procedure or the authentication procedure includes one or more of a user name, a password, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, a device identification, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination;

(4) establishing a wireless communication link between the output device and the client, via the one or more wireless communication units within the output device, the establishing of the wireless communication link based, at least in part, on having implemented the security procedure or the authentication procedure in (3), and the wireless communication link being compatible, at least partly, with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 wireless standards or within Bluetooth specifications; and

(5) receiving output data from the client and over the established wireless communication link in (4), the output data being related to at least part of a digital content for output or playing at the output device, and the digital content being at least one of an audio content or a video content, individually or in any combination, for output or playing at the output device; and

wherein the client is either a wireless information apparatus or a client application executable at the wireless information apparatus, and the wireless information apparatus is a distinct device from the output device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein subsequent to having established the wireless communication link in step (4), the method further comprises repeating any combination of steps from step (2) to step (5) without the need to repeat at least step (1) to facilitate the wireless device discovery operation.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting at least an attribute or identification information from the output device to the client facilitates selection or identification of the output device by the client;

and wherein, subsequent to having transmitted the attribute or identification information in (2), the wireless communication method further comprises;

wirelessly receiving a query or a service request from the client, via the one or more wireless communication units of the output device; and

in response to the query or the service request, establishing the wireless communication link between the output device and the client, the wireless communication link being compatible with at least a protocol within Bluetooth specifications; and

wherein the output data received from the client over the established wireless communication link includes audio digital content for playing at the output device; and

wherein the output device is at least a Bluetooth enabled audio output device, and the wireless information apparatus is at least a smart phone.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output device is at least one of an audio output device, a sound output device, a projection device, a display device, a television, or a controller box connected to a television, individually or in any combination;

and wherein the wireless information apparatus is at least one of a smart phone, an Internet-Phone, a touch sensitive screen phone, an Information-Pad, a digital camera, an Internet appliance, or an Internet-Pad, individually or in any combination.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the client is a smart phone, and the wireless device discovery operation is based, at least in part, on short range wireless communication within close proximity between the output device and the smart phone.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein implementing a security procedure or an authentication procedure in step (3) includes receiving, by the output device from the client via the one or more wireless communication units within the output device, security information or authentication information that includes one or more of a user name, a password, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, a device identification, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination.

7. A wireless controller included in an output device for receiving digital content from a wireless information apparatus via the wireless controller, the wireless controller includes an antenna for transmitting radio frequency signals, and wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication, at least part of the wireless communication circuitry is configured to be compatible, at least partly, with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 wireless standards or within Bluetooth specifications;

and wherein the wireless controller is configured to;

(1) facilitate, via at least the antenna, wireless discovery of the output device by the wireless information apparatus;

(2) provide at least an attribute or identification information related to the output device to the wireless information apparatus that is wireless discovering the output device in (1); and

(3) receive output data from the wireless information apparatus, subsequent to having transmitted the attribute or identification information related to the output device in (2);

wherein at least part of the output data received from the wireless information apparatus is related to at least part of the digital content for output or playing at the output device;

wherein the receiving of the output data in (3) is subsequent to having implemented a security procedure or an authentication procedure, the security procedure or the authentication procedure being implemented, at least in part, at the output device for establishing a wireless communication link between the output device and the wireless information apparatus, and the security procedure or the authentication procedure employing at least one of a user name, a password, an ID number, a PIN, a device identification, a code, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination; and

wherein the receiving of the output data in (3) is over the established wireless communication link and via the at least part of the wireless communication circuitry that is configured to be compatible, at least partly, with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 wireless standards or within Bluetooth specifications.

8. The wireless controller according to claim 7, wherein the wireless controller is embodied, at least in part, as:

(1) a chip or a chipset that includes one or more chips, or (2) a circuit board that includes one or more chips or chipsets, individually or in any combination.

9. The wireless controller according to claim 7, wherein the wireless controller includes one or more processors, firmware, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processors (DSP), systems on a chip, or communication chipsets, individually or in any combination.

10. The wireless controller according to claim 7, wherein the providing of the attribute or identification information from the output device to the wireless information apparatus in (2) is to facilitate selection or identification of the output device by the wireless information apparatus, and the providing of the attribute or the identification information from the output device to the wireless information apparatus is based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the output device and the wireless information apparatus;

and

wherein, subsequent to having provided the attribute or identification information, the wireless controller is further configured to receive a query or a service request from the wireless information apparatus via the wireless communication of the wireless controller.

11. The wireless controller according to claim 7, wherein the digital content includes at least one of audio digital content or video digital content, individually or in any combination;

wherein the output device is at least one of an audio output device, a sound output device, a projection device, a display device, a television, or a controller box connected to a television, individually or in any combination; and

wherein the wireless controller or the output device further interprets, decodes, or processes, individually or in any combination, at least part of the received output data for output or playing at least part of the digital content at the output device.

12. The wireless controller according to claim 7, wherein the wireless discovery is based, at least in part, on

a short range close proximity of the output device to the wireless information apparatus;

and wherein the output device is at least a Bluetooth enabled audio output device, and the wireless information apparatus is at least a smart phone.

13. An output device for receiving and playing digital content, comprising:

an interface operable by a user; and

wireless communication circuitry, the wireless communication circuitry includes at least a wireless communication chip or chipset configured to be compatible, at least partly, with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 wireless standards or within Bluetooth specifications;

wherein the output device is operable for;

(1) receiving, via the interface of the output device, at least an indication from the user related, at least in part, to a wireless device discovery operation;

(2) subsequent to having received the indication from the user in (1), facilitating, via the wireless communication circuitry within the output device, a wireless device discovery operation, the wireless device discovery operation for a client of the output device to wirelessly discover the output device;

(3) subsequent to the output device being discovered by the client in the wireless device discovery operation in (2), transmitting, via the wireless communication circuitry within the output device, at least an attribute or identification information related to the output device from the output device to the client;

(4) subsequent to having transmitted the attribute or identification information related to the output device in (3), receiving, via the wireless communication circuitry, a query or a service request from the client;

(5) subsequent to receiving the query or the service request in (4), establishing a wireless communication link between the output device and the client, using the wireless communication chip or chipset within the output device that is configured to be compatible, at least partly, with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 wireless standards or within Bluetooth specifications; and

(6) receiving, by the output device, output data from the client and from over the established wireless communication link in (5);

wherein the output data is related to at least part of the digital content for outputting or playing at the output device, and the digital content is least one of audio digital content or video digital content, individually or in any combination; and

wherein the client is either a mobile information apparatus or a client application executable at the mobile information apparatus, and the mobile information apparatus is a distinct device from the output device.

14. The output device according to claim 13, wherein the establishing of the wireless communication link in (5) is subsequent to having implemented, at the output device, a security procedure or an authentication procedure, the security procedure or the authentication procedure includes wirelessly receiving, via the wireless communication circuitry of the output device, one or more of a user name, a password, an ID number, a security key, a device identification, a PIN, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination, from the client.

15. The output device according to claim 14, wherein subsequent to the security procedure or the authentication procedure, the output device is further operable for repeating at least one step or combination of steps from step (4) to step (6), without the need to repeat one or more steps from step (1) to step (3), to facilitate future wireless connections between the client and the output device by skipping one or more steps from step (1) to step (3).

16. The output device according to claim 13, wherein the interface includes one or more of a display screen, a touch sensitive screen, a touch sensitive interface, a button, a push button, a soft key, a keypad, a status indicator, an on/off power control, or a switch, individually or in any combination.

17. The output device according to claim 13, wherein the output device is a Bluetooth enabled audio output device, and the mobile information apparatus is a smart phone;

and wherein the wireless communication link established between the Bluetooth enabled audio output device and the smart phone is compliant, at least in part, with at least a protocol within Bluetooth specifications; and

wherein the output data includes audio digital content for playing at the Bluetooth enabled audio output device; and

wherein the Bluetooth enabled audio output device further includes memory or a storage component for storing at least the attribute or identification information related to the output device, and wherein transmitting the attribute or identification information from the Bluetooth enabled audio output device to the client in (3) includes transmitting the attribute or identification information that is stored in the memory or the storage component of the Bluetooth enabled audio output device to the smart phone.

18. The output device according to claim 13, wherein the output device is at least one of an audio output device, a sound output device, a projection device, a display device, a television, or a controller box connected to a television, individually or in any combination;

and wherein the mobile information apparatus is at least one of a smart phone, an Internet-Phone, a touch sensitive screen phone, an Information-Pad, a digital camera, an Internet appliance, or an Internet-Pad, individually or in any combination.