Method for effectively implementing a wireless television system

• US 6,263,503 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sling Media LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Neal Margulis
• Inventors: Margulis, Neal
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT, CHRISTOPHER C
• Application Number:
  US09/318,904
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 345/327, 348/734, 348/8, 348/9, 348/10, 348/11, 348/12, 348/13, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/277.1, 455/277.2, 725/80, 725/81, 725/82, 725/78, 725/91, 725/93, 725/114, 725/116, 725/117
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2829 involving user profiles according to which the execution of a home appliance functionality is automatically triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234309 by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 or from Quicktime to Realvideo conversion of standards in analog television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/43637 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 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution

Abstract

A method for effectively implementing a wireless television system comprises a wireless base station that processes and combines various program sources to produce a processed stream. A transmitter then responsively transmits the processed stream as a broadcast output stream to various portable wireless display devices for flexible viewing at variable remote locations.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information; and

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations, wherein a subsystem processor in said wireless base station receives and responsively processes analog video, analog audio, and digital audio-video data components of said program information to provide a combined output stream to a wireless transmitter that responsively propagates a broadcast stream to said display device.

2. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information; and

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations, wherein a switcher device chooses said program information by controlling one or more outputs of said selectable program source, said switcher being wirelessly controllable by using said display device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said switcher device provides visual portions of said program information to a primary television for stationary viewing, and wherein said switcher device provides aural portions of said program information to speakers for stationary listening.

4. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information; and

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations, wherein said wireless base station includes a series of similar base station subsystems that each correspond to a different transmission subchannel.

5. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information, said program information including analog video, analog audio, and digital audio/video data;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information, said wireless base station including a base station subsystem for formatting said program information to generate formatted video, formatted audio, and formatted data, and a subsystem processor that processes said formatted video to generate processed video, processes said formatted audio to generate processed audio, and processes said formatted data to generate processed data, said subsystem processor subsequently combining said processed video, said processed audio, and said processed data to responsively generate a processed output stream; and

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said subsystem processor compresses said formatted video, compresses said formatted audio, and transcodes said formatted data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said subsystem processor compresses said formatted video and said formatted audio in accordance with an MPEG-2 specification, and wherein said subsystem processor transcodes said formatted data by converting a data bit rate of said formatted data to achieve an optimal compatibility with said wireless television system.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a communications processor accesses and manipulates said processed stream to generate a transmitter-ready output stream depending upon transmission characteristics of said wireless television system.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a transmitter accesses said transmitter-ready output stream, and responsively up-converts and modulates said transmitter-ready output stream to propagate a broadcast output stream through an antenna device to said display device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein an auxiliary base station receives said broadcast stream with a radio-frequency repeater that re-broadcasts said broadcast stream to said display device to improve broadcast signal characteristics.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said radio-frequency repeater receives said transmitter-ready broadcast stream through a wired local-area network.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said auxiliary base station includes a remote television connection for storing said display device and for recharging operating batteries in said display device.

13. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information;

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations, wherein said display device comprises a radio-frequency subsystem that receives a broadcast stream corresponding to said program information, and responsively down-converts and demodulates said broadcast stream to generate a baseband stream;

an A/V decoder that demultiplexes said baseband stream to generate separate information components that include demultiplexed video, demultiplexed audio, and demultiplexed data, said A/V decoder decompressing said demultiplexed video to generate decompressed video, decompressing said demultiplexed audio to generate decompressed audio, and manipulating said demultiplexed data to generate manipulated data; and

a display controller that preforms graphical user interface processing to said decompressed video to generate display video, and wherein said display controller that preforms graphical user interface processing to said manipulated data to generate display data, said display video and said display data then being displayed upon a display screen of said display device, said display device being alternately implemented as a hand-held remote controller device that includes a compact display screen which reproduces said broadcast stream as generated from a picture-in-picture turner, whereby said hand-held remote controller device is used to preview secondary program information while simultaneously viewing uninterrupted primary program information.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said A/V decoder provides said demultiplexed audio to an amplifier and speakers for aural reproduction.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said display device and said hand-held remote controller device each include a radio-frequency transmitter and an infrared transmitter for transmitting control information to said wireless base station and other components in said wireless television system.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said display device and said hand-held remote controller device each include an infrared receiver for receiving a broadcast stream from said wireless base station or an auxiliary base station.

17. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information; and

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations, wherein said wireless base station includes an infrared transmitter and a radio-frequency transmitter for transmitting master control information for controlling said wireless television system.

18. An apparatus for implementing a wireless television system, comprising:

a selectable program source coupled to said wireless television system for providing program information;

a wireless base station coupled to said selectable program source for processing and wirelessly transmitting said program information; and

a display device configured to wirelessly receive said program information and responsively display said program information in variable viewing locations, wherein said wireless base station includes a radio-frequency receiver and an infrared receiver for receiving remote control information for said wireless television system, said wireless base station thereby monitoring said control information and storing corresponding system status information into a memory device to facilitate intelligent system control interaction in said wireless television system.

19. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source;

processing said program information using a wireless base station;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process; and

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device, wherein a subsystem processor in said wireless base station receives and responsively processes analog video, analog audio, and digital audio-video data components of said program information to provide a combined transport stream to a wireless transmitter that responsively propagates a broadcast stream to said display device.

20. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source;

processing said program information using a wireless base station;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process; and

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device, wherein a switcher device chooses said program information by controlling one or more outputs of said selectable program source, said switcher being wirelessly controllable by using said display device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said switcher device provides visual portions of said program information to a primary television for stationary viewing, and wherein said switcher device provides aural portions of said program information to speakers for stationary listening.

22. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source;

processing said program information using a wireless base station;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process; and

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device, wherein said wireless base station includes a series of similar base station subsystems that each correspond to a different transmission subchannel.

23. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source, said program information including analog video, analog audio, and digital audio/video data;

processing said program information using a wireless base station wherein a base station subsystem formats said program information to generate formatted video, formatted audio, and formatted data, and wherein a subsystem processor processes said formatted video to generate processed video, processes said formatted audio to generate processed audio, and processes said formatted data to generate processed data, said subsystem processor subsequently combining said processed video, said processed audio, and said processed data to responsively generate a processed stream;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process; and

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said subsystem processor compresses said formatted video, compresses said formatted audio, and transcodes said formatted data.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said subsystem processor compresses said formatted video and said formatted audio in accordance with an MPEG-2 specification, and wherein said subsystem processor transcodes said formatted data by converting a data bit rate of said formatted data to achieve an optimal compatibility with said wireless television system.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein a communications processor accesses and manipulates said processed stream to generate a transmitter-ready output stream depending upon transmission characteristics of said wireless television system.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein a transmitter accesses said transmitter-ready output stream, and responsively up-converts and modulates said transmitter-ready output stream to propagate a broadcast stream through an antenna device to said display device.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein an auxiliary base station receives said broadcast stream with a radio-frequency repeater that re-broadcasts said broadcast stream to said display device to improve broadcast signal characteristics.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said radio-frequency repeater receives said transmitter-ready stream through a wired local-area network.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said auxiliary base station includes a remote television connection for storing said display device and for recharging operating batteries in said display device.

31. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source;

processing said program information using a wireless base station;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process;

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device, wherein said display device comprises a radio-frequency frequency subsystem that receives a broadcast stream corresponding to said program information, and responsively down-converts and demodulates said broadcast stream to generate a baseband stream;

demultiplexes said baseband streamer with an A/V decoder to generate separate information components that include demultiplexed video, demultiplexed audio, and demultiplexed data, said A/V decoder decompressing said demultiplexed video to Mnerate decompressed video, decompressing said demultiplexed audio to generate decompressed audio, and manipulating said demultiplexed data to generate manipulated data; and

performing graphical user interface processing to said decompressed video with a display controller to generate display video, said display controller performing graphical user interface processing to said manipulated data to generate display data, said display video and said display data then being displayed upon a display screen of said display device, said display device being alternately implemented as a hand-held remote controller device that includes a compact display screen which reproduces said broadcast stream as generated from a picture-in-picture tuner, whereby said hand-held remote controller device is used to preview secondary program information while simultaneously viewing uninterrupted primary program information.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said A/V decoder provides said demultiplexed audio to an amplifier and speakers for aural reproduction.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein said display device and said hand-held controller device each include a radio-frequency transmitter and an infrared transmitter for transmitting control information to said wireless base station and other components in said wireless television system.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein said display device and said hand-held controller device each include an infrared receiver for receive a broadcast stream from said wireless base station or said auxiliary base station.

35. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source;

processing said program information using a wireless base station;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process; and

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device, wherein said wireless base station includes an infrared transmitter and a radio-frequency transmitter for transmitting master control information to said wireless television system.

36. A method for implementing a wireless television system, comprising the steps of:

providing program information from a selectable program source;

processing said program information using a wireless base station;

transmitting said program information with a wireless transmission process;

receiving said program information through said wireless transmission process; and

displaying said program information in variable viewing locations using a display device, wherein said wireless base station includes a radio-frequency receiver and an infrared receiver for receiving remote control information for said wireless television system, said wireless base station thereby monitoring said control information and storing corresponding system status information into a memory device to facilitate intelligent system control interaction in said wireless television system.

37. A wireless base station comprising:

formatting means for converting one or more program sources into formatted information;

a subsystem processor configured to process and combine said formatted information to generate a processed stream;

a communication processor configured to process said processed stream to produce a transmitter-ready stream;

a transmitter configured to receive said transmitter-ready stream and responsively transmit a broadcast stream; and

means for monitoring wireless control signals and maintaining system status information to facilitate efficient system control procedures.

38. An auxiliary base station system comprising:

a stream source for providing program information from a base station; and

a plurality of auxiliary base stations that a wireless display receiver constantly monitors to transparently switch to an optimal transmission signal from a corresponding one of said plurality of auxiliary base stations, said plurality of auxiliary base stations each including a remote auxiliary transmitter for broadcasting said program information to a remote display receiver.