Method and system for efficient communication

• US 11,109,094 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2019
• Issued: 08/31/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anne Wong, Tiejun Wang
• Original Assignee: Anne Wong, Tiejun Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Tiejun, Wong, Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Brandon J
• Application Number:
  US16/655,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20200186873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/20 Repeater circuits; Relay circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• 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 21/43615 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 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• 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 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/047 using dedicated repeater stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for efficiently directing communications are disclosed. On example entails receiving, from a mobile terminal, a communication directed to a cellular communication network, the communication being received in an alternative channel that differs from a channel of the cellular communication network. The communication is then converted for a relayed communication to the cellular communication network on behalf of the mobile terminal, the relayed communication being made through the cellular communication network.

Claims

1. A system comprising a central device,

wherein the central device comprises:

an input interface configured for communicating over a non-IP based wireless connection, wherein the non-IP based wireless connection comprises a short range wireless communication channel; and

an output interface configured for providing a communication via a wireless communication network;

an interface/buffer; and

a decoder;

wherein the input interface is configured to receive, from a sensing device transmitter, via the short range wireless communication channel, a short range wireless communication indicating an updated status of an item, the short range wireless communication comprising a signal;

wherein the central device is configured to transmit, via the output interface, a notification regarding the updated status based on the signal;

wherein the non-IP based wireless connection is initiated by the updated status detected by a sensing device sensor;

wherein identification information corresponding to a sensing device is communicated via the short range wireless communication;

wherein at least one of a sound, a light, or a text that communicates information regarding the updated status is triggered by the short range wireless communication;

wherein the output interface is configured to transmit the notification, to a cellular phone, via the wireless communication network;

wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive a compressed digital signal that comprises at least one of audio and video data, through a cellular communications network or a wireless local area network; and

wherein the decoder is configured to receive the compressed digital signal from the interface/buffer and decompress the compressed digital signal to a decompressed digital signal for information production.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network comprises the cellular communications network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network comprises the wireless local area network.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sound, the light, and the text are triggered to notify the need of action associated with the updated status.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with a speaker over a Bluetooth connection.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the central device is further configured to send a video through the network interface.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the central device is further configured to receive a video from a video camera through the network interface.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the central device is configured to receive a call from a mobile terminal, the call being directed to a user of the central device.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee wireless communication channel.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate with a mobile phone via a Bluetooth channel.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising

a video compress decoder;

wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive a multimedia data stream from a cellular communications network or a wireless local area network and store, in a digital form as digital multimedia data, the multimedia data stream;

wherein the video compress decoder is configured to receive the digital multimedia data from the interface/buffer and decompress the digital multimedia data to result in a decompressed digital multimedia signal for production of corresponding multimedia information; and

wherein the decompressed digital multimedia signal comprises a decompressed high definition digital video signal.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a digital video encoder; and

a terminal interface;

wherein the digital video encoder is configured to encode the decompressed digital multimedia signal that the digital video encoder receives from the video compress decoder for transmission through the terminal interface to a digital display terminal, by converting a format of the decompressed digital multimedia signal to a converted signal in a format for transmission through the terminal interface;

wherein the format for the transmission through the terminal interface is different from a signal format of the decompressed digital multimedia signal;

wherein the digital video encoder is configured to transmit the converted signal to the terminal interface;

wherein the converted signal comprises a high definition digital video signal; and

wherein the terminal interface is a high definition digital output interface.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the high definition digital output interface is a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the central device is configured to receive the multimedia data stream from the cellular communications network.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive the multimedia data stream from a mobile phone.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the corresponding multimedia information comprises a video call.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device sensor is configured to sense the updated status of the item;

and

the sensing device transmitter is coupled to the sensing device sensor and configured for the non-IP based wireless connection.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said sensing device sensor is configured to sense a value for weight.

19. The system of claim 1 further comprising a configuration application configured to provide configured data in initiating communications that are directed to the central device, the configured data comprising information associated with the wireless communication network and information corresponding to a device identifier of the central device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the configured data is sent via a mobile phone.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the item is a diaper.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee communication channel.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with a wireless device over a Bluetooth connection;

and wherein said wireless device is one of a game controller device, a cooker, a diaper, a video conversation data exchange device, a personal computer, a camcorder, a DVD/VCD, a speaker, a pager, a beeper, a phone, a LD//VCR, and a keyboard device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said wireless device is the speaker.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with a mobile phone via a Bluetooth channel.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the item is a cooker.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the short range wireless communication channel comprises a NFC.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the updated status is based on detection of a property associated with volatile air.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the central device is further configured to provide an Internet connection to a handheld mobile terminal.

30. A sensing device, comprising:

a sensing device sensor configured to sense values associated with at least one of;

pH, a starch enzyme, ketone bodies, urobilinogen of urine, bilirubin, stercobilinogens, fat, plant fiber, muscle fiber, weight, or a property of volatile air;

a sensing device transmitter coupled to the sensing device sensor;

wherein said sensing device transmitter is configured to respond to said sensing device sensor sensing a particular value, by establishing a non-IP based wireless connection for a short range wireless communication, the short range wireless communication, over a short range wireless communication channel, comprising identification information corresponding to the sensing device;

wherein the sensing device transmitter is configured to transmit the short range wireless communication to initiate a notification of a need of action, the notification triggering production of at least one of a sound, a light, or a text that communicates information regarding an updated status associated with the particular value;

wherein the non-IP based wireless connection comprises the short range wireless communication channel.

31. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein the sensing device further comprises non-volatile memory storing RFID tag information;

and

wherein said sensing device transmitter is configured to transmit, via said short range wireless communication channel, said RFID tag information in association with said particular value.

32. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein said sensing device sensor is configured to sense the value for weight.

33. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein said sensing device sensor is configured to sense a chemical property of volatile air.

34. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein said sensing device sensor is configured to sense the values for the property of a diaper.

35. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein said sensing device sensor is configured to sense the value for at least one of pH, starch enzyme, ketone bodies, and urobilinogen of urine.

36. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee wireless communication channel.

37. An intelligent wireless system for communications comprising:

a central device comprising;

a network interface configured to provide communications through a network communication channel of a wireless local area network;

a configuration application configured to provide configured data in initiating communications that are directed to the central device, the configured data comprising information regarding the wireless local area network;

wherein the network interface is configured to communicate information regarding an alert to a mobile phone based on a short range wireless communication, the alert triggering at least two of a sound, a light, or a text to notify a need of an action;

wherein identification information corresponding to the alert is communicated by the short range wireless communication; and

a configuration setting application configured to specify when and how to notify a user about the alert;

wherein a device identifier corresponding to the central device is stored in association with a user account and wherein the identification information corresponding to the alert is associated with a unique phone identifier of the mobile phone stored in the user account.

38. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the configured data is provided via a cellular phone.

39. The intelligent wireless system of claim 38, wherein a network address associated with the wireless local area network is associated with a unique phone identifier of the cellular phone, the cellular phone connected to Internet via the wireless local area network.

40. The intelligent wireless system of claim 38, wherein the configuration application is configured to install on the cellular phone.

41. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the short range wireless communication comprises a signal;

wherein the short range wireless communication is triggered by a detection of the updated status, the signal comprising the identification information.

42. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the short range wireless communication is through a Zigbee channel.

43. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device further comprises a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder;

wherein the central device is configured to receive a wireless signal through the network interface;

wherein the wireless signal conversion unit is configured to perform a conversion of the wireless signal to accommodate production of a corresponding information content, the wireless signal comprising a compressed signal, the conversion comprising decompressing the compressed signal; and

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed signal.

44. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device is configured to receive an instruction to communicate with a mobile terminal;

wherein data from a cellular network is converted for transmission through the wireless local area network to accommodate a wireless communication between the central device and the mobile terminal.

45. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the alert is based on detection of a property associated with volatile air.

46. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device is configured to receive a call from a mobile terminal, the call being directed to a user of the central device.

47. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device is further configured to send a video through the network interface.

48. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the sound, the light, and the text are all triggered.

49. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device is further configured to provide an Internet connection to a handheld mobile terminal.

50. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with a wireless device over another non-IP based wireless connection;

and wherein said wireless device is one of a game controller device, a cooker, a diaper, a video conversation data exchange device, a personal computer, a camcorder, a DVD/VCD, a speaker, a pager, a beeper, a phone, a LD//VCR, and a keyboard device.

51. The intelligent wireless system of claim 50, wherein said wireless device is the speaker;

and wherein said another non-IP based wireless connection is a Bluetooth channel.

52. The intelligent wireless system of claim 37, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with the cellular phone over a Bluetooth channel.

53. An intelligent wireless system for communications via a wireless local area network comprising:

a central device comprising;

a network interface configured to provide a communication through a network communication channel of the wireless local area network;

wherein the central device is configured to communicate information regarding an updated status about an item based on a short range wireless communication from a sensing device;

wherein identification information corresponding to the sensing device is communicated by the short range wireless communication;

wherein the network interface is configured to transmit a notification about the updated status to a mobile phone, at least one of a sound, a light, or a text produced to communicate information regarding the updated status; and

wherein the identification information of the sensing device is associated with a phone identifier of the mobile phone; and

wherein the central device is further configured to provide an Internet connection to a handheld mobile terminal.

54. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the short range wireless communication comprises a signal;

the signal comprising the identification information; and

wherein the short range wireless communication is triggered by the updated status detected by the sensing device.

55. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the short range wireless channel is a Zigbee channel.

56. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device further comprises a wireless signal conversion unit including a decoder;

wherein the central device is configured to receive a wireless signal through the network interface;

wherein the wireless signal conversion unit is configured to perform a conversion of the wireless signal to accommodate production of a corresponding information content, the wireless signal comprising a compressed signal, the conversion comprising decompressing the compressed signal; and

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed signal.

57. The intelligent wireless system of claim 56, wherein the central device is configured to receive the wireless signal from a mobile terminal.

58. The intelligent wireless system of claim 56, wherein the corresponding information content is a video call designated for a user of the central device transmitted via a cellular network.

59. The intelligent wireless system of claim 56, wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed signal to a decompressed signal, the compressed signal being a compressed high definition digital video signal;

wherein the central device further comprises an encoder configured to encode the decompressed signal to an encoded signal, the encoded signal being an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal;

wherein the central device further comprises a high definition digital output interface configured to connect to a cable to transmit the encoded signal to accommodate the production of the corresponding information content on a high definition digital display; and

wherein the conversion comprises said decompressing, by the decoder, the compressed signal followed by encoding the decompressed signal produced by the decoder to produce the encoded signal for transmission through the high definition digital output interface.

60. The intelligent wireless system of claim 59, wherein the central device is configured to transmit the encoded signal to a high definition television via an HDMI cable.

61. The intelligent wireless system of claim 56, wherein the corresponding information content is displayed on a high definition digital display screen of the central device;

and wherein the wireless signal is a high definition digital video signal.

62. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is configured to receive an instruction to communicate with a mobile terminal;

and wherein data from a cellular network is converted for transmission through the wireless local area network to accommodate a wireless communication between the central device and the mobile terminal.

63. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is a high definition digital television.

64. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is configured to receive a call from a cellular phone, the call being directed to a user of the central device.

65. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is a mobile terminal.

66. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the intelligent wireless system further comprises a configuration application configured to provide configured data in initiating communications that are directed to the central device, the configured data comprising information regarding the wireless local area network.

67. The intelligent wireless system of claim 66, wherein the configured data is provided via a cellular phone.

68. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is a cellular phone.

69. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is a set top box.

70. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with a speaker over a Bluetooth connection.

71. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is further configured to send a video through the network interface.

72. The intelligent wireless system of claim 53, wherein the central device is further configured to receive a video from a video camera through the network interface.

73. An intelligent wireless system for communications via a wireless local area network comprising:

a central device comprising;

a network interface configured to provide a communication through a network communication channel of the wireless local area network;

wherein the central device is configured to receive an instruction to make a call with a cellular phone;

wherein the central device is configured to communicate the call, via the network interface;

wherein the central device is further configured to communicate, via the network interface, an alert based on a short range wireless communication over a non-IP based wireless connection, at least one of a sound, a light, or a text triggered to notify the alert;

wherein identification information associated with the alert is communicated by the short range wireless communication;

wherein the system further comprises an interface/buffer; and

a decoder;

wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive a compressed digital signal that comprises at least one of audio data or video data via the wireless local area network; and

wherein the decoder is configured to receive the compressed digital signal from the interface/buffer and decompress the compressed digital signal to a decompressed digital signal for information production.

74. The intelligent wireless system of claim 73, wherein the intelligent wireless system is configured to transmit the alert to a mobile phone.

75. The intelligent wireless system of claim 73, wherein the short range wireless communication is triggered by a sensing device associated with the alert.

76. The intelligent wireless system of claim 75, wherein the intelligent wireless system is configured to transmit the alert to a mobile phone;

and wherein the sensing device is associated with the mobile phone.

77. The intelligent wireless system of claim 73, wherein the non-IP based wireless connection is a Zigbee channel.

78. The intelligent wireless system of claim 73,

wherein the corresponding information production is the call.

79. The intelligent wireless system of claim 73, wherein the central device is a mobile terminal.

80. The intelligent wireless system of claim 73, wherein the call is a video call.

81. A system comprising a central device,

wherein the central device comprises:

an output interface configured for providing a communication via a wireless communication network;

wherein the central device is configured to transmit, via the output interface, a notification regarding an updated status in connection with a short range wireless communication, the short range wireless communication comprising a signal;

wherein the signal is communicated from a sensing device transmitter, via a non-IP based wireless connection, the signal indicating the updated status;

wherein the non-IP based wireless connection is triggered by detection of the updated status by a sensing device sensor, the signal comprising identification information corresponding to a sensing device;

wherein the output interface is configured to transmit the notification, to a cellular phone, via the wireless communication network, wherein at least one of a sound, a light, or a text is produced to notify a need of action associated with the updated status;

wherein the non-IP based wireless connection is separate from the wireless communication network;

wherein the system further comprises an interface/buffer; and

a decoder;

wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive, via the wireless communication network, a compressed digital signal that comprises at least one of audio data or video data; and

wherein the decoder is configured to receive the compressed digital signal from the interface/buffer and decompress the compressed digital signal to a decompressed digital signal for information production.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the updated status is based on detection of a property of volatile air.

83. The system of claim 81, wherein said central device is configured to communicate a video from a video camera via the output interface.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the central device is configured to receive a call from a mobile terminal, the call being directed to a user of the central device.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein the central device is further configured to communicate with a mobile phone via a Bluetooth channel.

86. The system of claim 83, wherein the system further comprises a configuration application configured to provide configured data in initiating communications that are directed to the wireless device, the configured data comprising information regarding the wireless communication network.

87. The system of claim 86, wherein the configured data is provided via a mobile phone.

88. The system of claim 83, wherein the central device is further configured to send a video through the network interface.

89. The system of claim 81, wherein the system further comprises:

a video compress decoder;

wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive a multimedia data stream, in a digital form as digital multimedia data, the multimedia data stream;

wherein the video compress decoder is configured to receive the digital multimedia data from the interface/buffer and decompress the digital multimedia data to result in a decompressed digital multimedia signal for production of corresponding multimedia information; and

wherein the decompressed digital multimedia signal comprises a decompressed high definition digital video signal.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the system further comprises:

a digital video encoder; and

a terminal interface;

wherein the digital video encoder is configured to encode the decompressed digital multimedia signal that the digital video encoder receives from the video compress decoder for transmission through the terminal interface to a digital display terminal, by converting a format of the decompressed digital multimedia signal to a converted signal in a format for transmission through the terminal interface;

wherein the format for the transmission through the terminal interface is different from a signal format of the decompressed digital multimedia signal;

wherein the digital video encoder is configured to transmit the converted signal to the terminal interface;

wherein the converted signal comprises a high definition digital video signal; and

wherein the terminal interface is a high definition digital output interface.

91. The system of claim 90, wherein the high definition digital output interface is a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

92. The system of claim 89, wherein the interface/buffer is configured to receive the multimedia data stream from a mobile phone.

93. The system of claim 81, wherein the system further comprises a configuration application configured to provide configured data in initiating communications that are directed to the central device, the configured data comprising information associated with the wireless communication network for communication with the central device.

94. The system of claim 81, wherein the short range wireless communication channel is a Zigbee communication channel.

95. The system of claim 81, wherein said central device is configured to communicate with a speaker through a Bluetooth channel.

96. A system for communications comprising:

a wireless device comprising;

a network interface configured to provide communications through a network communication channel of a wireless local area network;

a configuration application configured to provide configured data in initiating communications that are directed to the wireless device, the configured data comprising information regarding the wireless local area network;

wherein the configured data is provided via a cellular phone;

wherein the network interface is configured to communicate information regarding an alert to a mobile phone, at least one of a sound, a light, or a text notifying a need of an action associated with the alert;

a configuration setting application configured to specify when and how to notify a user about the alert; and

wherein a device identifier corresponding to the wireless device is stored in association with a user account; and

identification information associated with the alert is stored in association with a unique phone identifier of the mobile phone in the user account.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the alert is communicated based on detection of a chemical property associated with volatile air.

98. The system of claim 96, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate with a mobile phone via a Bluetooth channel.

99. The system of claim 96, wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate with a speaker over a Bluetooth connection.

100. The system of claim 96, wherein the wireless device is configured to receive a call from a mobile terminal, the call being directed to a user of the wireless device.

101. A method comprising:

providing a communication via a wireless communication network;

transmitting, via the wireless communication network, a notification regarding an updated status in connection with a short range wireless communication, the short range wireless communication comprising a signal;

wherein the signal is communicated from a sensing device transmitter, via a non-IP based wireless connection, the signal indicating the updated status;

transmitting the notification, to a cellular phone, via the wireless communication network, wherein at least one of a sound, a light, or a text is produced to notify a need of action associated with the updated status;

wherein the non-IP based wireless connection is separate from the wireless communication network; and

wherein the non-1P based wireless connection is triggered by detection of the updated status by a sensing device sensor, the signal comprising identification information corresponding to a sensing device;

wherein an interface/buffer is configured to receive a compressed digital signal that comprises at least one of audio and video data, through a cellular communications network or a wireless local area network; and

wherein a decoder is configured to receive the compressed digital signal from the interface buffer and decompress the compressed digital signal to a decompressed digital signal for information production.

102. A method comprising:

providing communications through a network communication channel of a wireless local area network;

providing configured data in initiating communications that are directed to a wireless device, the configured data comprising information regarding the wireless local area network;

wherein the configured data is provided via a cellular phone;

communicating information regarding an alert to a mobile phone, at least one of a sound, a light, or a text notifying a need of an action associated with the alert; and

communicating identification information corresponding to the alert;

wherein a device identifier corresponding to the wireless device is stored in association with a user account; and

wherein the identification information associated with the alert is stored in association with a unique phone identifier of the mobile phone in the user account.