System and method for using a webpad to control a data stream

• US 7,904,579 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Viviana Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Edwards, Bruce, Janik, Craig M., Ferguson, Josh, Kalayjian, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAW, PELING ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US11/113,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20060031549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,143 Days
• Field of Search: 709230-231, 709217-219, 725/81, 345/156, 345/2.2
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/71 Wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/33 via the broadcast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/43 for identifying broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/64 for providing detail information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/88 which are wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/90 Wireless transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/96 CATV systems for accessing the Internet H04H60/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• 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 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• 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 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 : specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 : Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A system and method for using a webpad to select a target device which is to receive from a source device a stream of digital media. The webpad is used to send a transmission to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of digital media to the target device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a local area network (LAN);

a streamer device coupled to the LAN adapted to stream a digital media;

a hand-held webpad device coupled to the LAN having an application adapted to decode and convert the digital media into analog signals; and

a digital converter device coupled to the LAN as a LAN node having an application adapted to decode and convert the digital media into analog signals;

wherein the hand-held webpad device further comprises a control application for use in initiating and controlling from the hand-held webpad device a stream of digital media from the streamer device and for use in selecting the hand-held webpad device or the digital converter device as an intended target device for the stream of digital media from the streamer device.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control application causes a GUI application to be displayed to a user on the hand-held webpad device whereby a user may interact with the GUI application to initiate and control the stream of the digital media from the streamer device and to select the intended target device for the stream of digital media from the streamer device.

3. The-system as recited in claim 2, wherein the GUI application displays a playlist to the user.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the digital converter device is adapted to communicate the analog signals to a stereo system.

5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the hand-held webpad device comprises an adapter module attached to a personal digital assistant, the adapter module being used to exchange communications with the streamer device and the personal digital assistant being used as an interface to the adapter module.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the streamer device comprises a computer.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the streamer device sends ancillary data related to the digital media to the hand-held webpad device.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand-held webpad device comprises a remote control application for remotely controlling operational functions of one or more appliances.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the hand-held webpad device comprises an infrared transmitter for issuing communications to the one or more appliances.

10. A method comprising:

receiving into a hand-held webpad device a user selection which functions to select an intended target device which is to receive from a source device, via a local area network (LAN), a stream of digital media;

in response to the user selection, sending a wireless transmission from the hand-held webpad device to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of digital media to the intended target device; and

decoding and converting the stream of digital media at the intended target device into analog signals to thereby allow for reproduction of the stream of digital media.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, comprising displaying to a user a GUI application on the hand-held webpad device whereby a user may interact with the GUI application to provide the user selection to the hand-held webpad device.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the GUI application displays, a playlist to the user.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the hand-held webpad device comprises an adapter module attached to a personal digital assistant, the adapter module being used to exchange wirelessly transmitted communications with the source device and the personal digital assistant being used as an interface to the adapter module.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the source device comprises a computer.

15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the source device sends ancillary data related to the stream of digital media the hand-held webpad device.