Media rendering system

• US 20060012488A1
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayes, Patrick H., Black, Jeremy K., Hilbrink, Marcel
• Granted Patent: US 9,088,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.690
• 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 media rendering system, comprising:

a wireless controller having at least one user feedback element for rendering media data to a user, the wireless controller operable to transmit command codes to control the operation of a consumer electronics device;

a docking station adapted to receive communications from the wireless controller including signals representative of the media data; and

wherein the consumer electronic device is coupled to the docking station for receipt of the signals representative of the media data.

2. The media rendering system as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes one or more electrical contacts for recharging the wireless controller.

3. The media rendering system as recited in claim 1, wherein both the wireless controller and docking station are adapted to communicate via the electrical contacts.

4. The media rendering system as recited in claim 1, wherein both the wireless controller and docking station are adapted to communicate via wireless communication elements.

5. The media rendering system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless controller and docking station are adapted to communicate via both one or more electrical contacts and via wireless communication elements.

6. The media rendering system as recited in claim 5, wherein the wireless controller is adapted to communicate via the electrical elements when in a docked state with the docking station, and to communicate via the wireless communication elements when in an undocked state with the docking station.

7. The media rendering system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless controller is adapted to transmit at least one command code to the consumer electronics device in response to being placed in a docked state with the docking station.

8. A wireless controller having media rendering capabilities and being operable to transmit command codes to control the operation of a consumer electronics device, the wireless controller comprising:

a user feedback element for playing back media to a user;

at least one communication element for providing for communications between the wireless controller and a docking station; and

wherein signals representative of media being played back on the user feedback element are able to be sent via the communication element to the docking station.

9. The wireless controller as recited in claim 8, wherein the communication element includes one or more electrical contacts for electrically coupling with the docking station.

10. The wireless controller as recited in claim 8, wherein the communication element includes a wireless communication element for wirelessly coupling with the docking station.

11. The wireless controller as recited in claim 8, wherein the signals representative of media being played back on the user feedback element are sent via the communication element in response to user interaction with the wireless controller.

12. The wireless controller as recited in claim 8, wherein the signals representative of media being played back on the user feedback element are sent via the communication element in response to a predetermined event.

13. The wireless controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the predetermined event include electrically coupling the wireless controller to the docking station.

14. The wireless controller as recited in claim 11, wherein the wireless controller is adapted to transmit at least one command code to the consumer electronics device in response to the user interaction with the wireless controller.

15. The wireless controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the wireless controller is adapted to transmit at least one command code to the consumer electronics device in response to the predetermined event.