OUTPUT SYSTEMS OR AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICES THAT INCLUDE AN INTERFACE OPERABLE BY A USER TO INITIATE WIRELESS DISCOVERY FOR ESTABLISHING WIRELESS CONNECTIONS WITH MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20170277487A1
• Filed: 06/05/2017
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Granted Patent: US 10,387,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) and an output system having an interface operable by a user and at least a speaker (e.g., audio output device) are herein disclosed and enabled. The method comprises using the interface of the output system to receive an indication from the user to initiate wireless discovery based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output system. The method additionally comprises using the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly (1) discover the output system, (2) establish a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, and (3) transmit audio output data from the mobile information apparatus to the output system over the established wireless communication link. The output system uses the speaker to output or play at least part of the wirelessly received audio output data.

Claims

1. An output system for establishing a wireless connection with a smart phone to wirelessly receive digital content from the smart phone, the digital content includes at least audio digital content, the smart phone is a distinct device from the output system, the output system includes:

an interface operable by a user,

wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication, and

an audio output device or a speaker for outputting sound;

wherein the output system;

(1) uses the interface of the output system to receive at least an indication from the user operating the output system, the indication for initiating a wireless discovery process to wirelessly discover the smart phone or for the smart phone to wirelessly discover the output system, and the wireless discovery process based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the smart phone and the output system;

(2) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the output system to initiate the wireless discovery process in response to having received the indication from the user in (1), the wireless discovery process is based, at least in part, on the output system being within a physical distance from the smart phone;

(3) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the output system to establish a wireless communication link between the output system and the smart phone, the establishing of the wireless communication link is subsequent to either (i) the output system having wirelessly discovered the smart phone in the wireless discovery process in (2), or (ii) the smart phone having wirelessly discovered the output system in the wireless discovery process in (2);

(4) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the output system to receive audio output data from the smart phone over the established wireless communication link in (3), the received output data related, at least in part, to the audio digital content; and

(5) uses the audio output device or the speaker of the output system to output or to play at least part of the received audio output data in (4).

2. The output system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets supporting at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications for establishing the wireless communication link in (3).

3. The output system according to claim 2, wherein subsequent to having outputted or played the audio output data in (5), the output system further uses the wireless communication circuitry of the output system to transmit, over the established wireless communication link in (3), voice data or sound data from the output system to the smart phone.

4. The output system according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication circuitry further includes an infrared communication circuitry for close proximity detection.

5. The output system according to claim 2, wherein the interface includes at least a button or other controls operable by a user of the output system, and wherein the output system is embodied as a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device for playing audio output data received from the smart phone.

6. The output system according to claim 1, wherein the output system further includes memory for storing the information, and the output system further:

(a) uses the wireless communication circuitry to wirelessly receive information from the smart phone that has wirelessly discovered the output system in (2); and

(b) uses the memory for storing the information received from the smart phone in (a);

wherein, subsequent to storing the information, future wireless communication links between smart phone and the output system are established without the need for repeating the wireless discovery process in (1) and (2), the wireless communication process includes receiving of the user indication in (1) and initiating of the wireless discovery process in (2).

7. The output system according to claim 6, wherein the output system further uses the wireless communication circuitry to wirelessly transmit information related to the output system from the output system to the smart phone that has wirelessly discovered the output system in (2), the information includes at least one of identity information, device information, attribute information, security information, or an identification number, individually or in any combination, related to the output system, wherein, subsequent to wirelessly transmitting the information from the output system to the smart phone, the output system uses the wireless communication circuitry to wirelessly establish the wireless communication link between the output system and the smart phone in (3).

8. An audio output system for establishing a wireless connection with a mobile information apparatus to wirelessly receive digital content from the mobile information apparatus, the digital content includes at least audio digital content, the mobile information apparatus is a distinct device from the audio output system, the audio output system including:

an interface with at least a button or other controls, and

wireless communication circuitry;

wherein the audio output system;

(1) uses the interface of the audio output system to receive at least an indication from the user operating the audio output system, the indication from the user for initiating a wireless discovery process for the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly discover the audio output system, and the wireless discovery process is based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the audio output system and the mobile information apparatus;

(2) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the audio output system to initiate the wireless discovery process in response to having received the indication from the user in (1), the wireless discovery process is based, at least in part, on the audio output system being within a physical distance to the mobile information apparatus;

(3) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the audio output system to wirelessly receive at least information related to the mobile information apparatus from the mobile information apparatus that has wirelessly discovered the audio output system in the wireless discovery process in (2);

(4) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the audio output system to establish a wireless communication link between the audio output system and the mobile information apparatus, the establishing of the wireless communication link is based, at least in part, on having wirelessly received the information from the mobile information apparatus in (3); and

(5) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the audio output system to wirelessly receive audio output data from the mobile information apparatus over the established wireless communication link in (4), the audio output data related to at least part of the digital content, and at least part of the audio output data that is related to at least part of digital content is for outputting or playing at the audio output system.

9. The audio output system according to claim 8, wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets supporting at least one of the following, individually or in any combination:

(a) at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications for establishing the wireless communication link in (3);

or

(b) a wireless communication operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band for establishing the wireless communication link in (3);

or

(c) at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for establishing the wireless communication link in (3).

10. The audio output system according to claim 9, wherein the information wirelessly received from the mobile information apparatus in (3) includes one or more of identity information, device information, security information, a password, or an identification number, individually or in any combination;

wherein the audio output system further includes memory for storing the information wirelessly received from the mobile information apparatus in (3), and wherein, subsequent to having stored the information wirelessly received from the mobile information apparatus in (3), future wireless communication links between the mobile information apparatus and the audio output system are established without the need to repeat steps (1) to (3).

11. The audio output system according to claim 9, wherein the audio output system further uses the wireless communication circuitry of the audio output system to transmit, over the established wireless communication link in (4), voice data or audio data from the audio output system to the mobile information apparatus;

and wherein the mobile information apparatus is at least a smart phone, the audio output system is at least a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device or Bluetooth-enabled audio output system, and the wireless communication circuitry is compatible, at least in part, with at least a protocol within Bluetooth specifications for establishing the wireless communication link in (4).

12. The audio output system according to claim 9, wherein the mobile information apparatus is embodied as one or more of a smart phone, an Internet-Phone, an information pad, a digital camera, an e-book, a digital camera, or an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination;

and wherein the audio output system is embodied as one or more of a wireless speaker, a wireless sound output system, a television system, a television controller system, or a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device, individually or in any combination.

13. The audio output system according to claim 9, wherein the wireless communication circuitry of the audio output system further includes infrared communication circuitry for close proximity communication, wherein the mobile information apparatus is at least a smart phone, and wherein the audio output system is at least a Bluetooth-enabled audio output system or a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device.

14. A wireless method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile information apparatus and an output system to wirelessly transmit digital content from the mobile formation apparatus to the output system, the output system includes an interface and wireless communication circuitry, the mobile information apparatus includes one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication, and the mobile information apparatus is a distinct device from the output system;

and the output system;

(1) uses the interface of the output system to receive at least an indication from a user operating the output system to initiate a wireless discovery process, the wireless discovery process based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the output system and the mobile information apparatus, and

(2) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the output system to initiate the wireless discovery process in response to having received the indication from the user in (1), the wireless discovery process includes wirelessly broadcasting availability of the output system for the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly discover the output system;

wherein, subsequent to having initiated the wireless discovery process in (2), the wireless method for establishing the wireless connection comprises;

(3) using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly discover the output system that has broadcasted its availability in (2), the wireless discovery of the output system is based, at least in part, on the mobile information apparatus being within a physical distance to the output system;

(4) using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus to establish a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, subsequent to the mobile information apparatus having wirelessly discovered the output system in (3); and

(5) using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly transmit, over the established wireless communication link in (4), output data related to the digital content, the output data includes at least audio digital content or video digital content for outputting or playing at the output system.

15. The wireless method according to claim 14, wherein the output system is at least an audio output system that includes one or more speakers, and, subsequent to wirelessly transmitting the output data from the mobile information apparatus to the output system in (5), the output system:

(6) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the output system to wirelessly receive the wirelessly transmitted output data from the mobile information apparatus in (5), and wherein the output data includes audio digital content; and

(7) uses the one or more speakers of the output system to output or to play at least part of the wirelessly received output data in (6).

16. The wireless method according to claim 14, wherein the mobile information apparatus includes a touch sensitive screen interface, and the wireless method further comprises:

(a) displaying, on the touch sensitive screen interface of the mobile information apparatus, a user interface item related, at least in part, to the output system wirelessly discovered in (3); and

(b) receiving, via the touch sensitive screen interface of the mobile device, at least an indication of a selection of the user interface item displayed on the touch sensitive screen interface in (a);

wherein, subsequent to having received the indication of a selection of the user interface item in (b), the mobile information apparatus establishes the wireless communication link in (4).

17. The wireless method according to claim 14, wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets supporting at least one of the following, individually or in any combination:

(a) at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications for establishing the wireless communication link in (4);

or

(b) at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for establishing the wireless communication link in (4);

or

(c) a wireless communication operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band for establishing the wireless communication link in (4).

18. The wireless method according to claim 14, wherein the mobile information apparatus is embodied as one or more of a smart phone, an Internet-Phone, an information pad, a digital camera, an e-book, a digital camera, or an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination;

and wherein the output system is embodied as one or more of a wireless speaker, a wireless sound output device, a sound output system, a television system, a television controller system, a wireless projector system, or a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device, individually or in any combination.

19. The wireless method according to claim 14, wherein the mobile information apparatus further includes memory, and the wireless method further comprises:

(a) using the one or more wireless communication units to wirelessly receive information or an attribute related to the output system from the output system wirelessly discovered by the mobile information apparatus in (3), the wirelessly received information or attribute includes one or more of identity information, security information, brand information, model information, an address, a name, or a password, individually or in any combination, related to the output system; and

(b) using the memory of the mobile information apparatus to store the information or the attribute wirelessly received from the output system;

wherein, subsequent to storing the information or the attribute in (b), future wireless communications between mobile information apparatus and the output system are established without the need for repeating step (1) and step (2) that includes receiving of an indication from the user in (1), and initiating of the wireless discovery process in (2).

20. The wireless connection method of claim 14, wherein the mobile information apparatus is at least a smart phone, and the audio output system is at least a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device or Bluetooth-enabled audio output system, and the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus is compatible, at least in part, with at least a protocol within Bluetooth specifications for establishing the wireless communication link in (4);

and

wherein, subsequent to the mobile information apparatus having wirelessly discovered the output system in (3), future wireless communications between the mobile information apparatus and the output system are established without the need to repeat step (1) the receiving of the indication from a user of the output system, and without the need to repeat step (2) the initiating of the wireless discovery process.