Televisions, output controllers, or speakers that are setup to wirelessly connect to a network and to receive digital content from a digital content service over the network

• US 9,836,259 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Marcus T
• Application Number:
  US15/359,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20170078521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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

Output devices or systems, such as televisions, speakers, projectors, or output controllers, are herein disclosed and enabled for receiving digital content from a digital content service operated, at least partly, over the Internet. The disclosed output device includes wireless communication circuitry and an interface. To set up the output device for receiving and playing digital content, the output device first receives, via the interface, security information, then establishes a wireless local area network connection employing the received security information. Subsequent to having established the wireless local area network connection and using the wireless communication circuitry, the output device connects to a server over a network for downloading and installing software applications or software components for upgrading or modifying the capabilities of the output device. Thereafter, the output device is setup for receiving the digital content from the digital content service using the downloaded and installed software components.

Claims

1. A wireless output device for connecting to a wireless local area network and for receiving digital content from a digital content service operated, at least partly, over the Internet, the wireless output device for outputting video digital content or audio digital content, and the wireless output device is at least one of a television, a wireless output controller wire connectable to a television, a projector, or a speaker, individually or in any combination, the wireless output device includes:

an interface for interacting with a user;

operating system software to facilitate download and installation of application software or software components at the wireless output device;

one or more processors for executing software that includes at least part of the operating system software; and

one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication, at least one wireless communication unit of the one or more wireless communication units is for establishing a wireless local area network connection, and the wireless output device is operable for;

(i) receiving, using the interface of the wireless output device, security information for the wireless output device to establish a wireless local area network connection, and the security information includes one or more of a name, a password, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, or a security key, individually or in any combination;

(ii) establishing, using the at least one wireless communication unit, the wireless local area network connection employing, at least in part, the security information received using the interface in (i);

(iii) downloading, using the at least one wireless communication unit and subsequent to having established the wireless local area network connection in (ii), application software or software components from one or more servers or host computers over a network, the application software or software components for upgrading, updating, adding, or modifying features and capabilities of the wireless output device;

(iv) installing, at the wireless output device, the application software or software components downloaded in (iii), the installing of the application software or software components being facilitated, at least in part, by the operating system software included in the wireless output device;

(v) receiving, using the one or more wireless communication units and facilitated, at least in part, by the application software or software components installed in (iv), digital content from one or more application servers or content servers operated, at least partly, over the Internet by the digital content service, the received digital content includes audio digital content or video digital content, individually or in any combination; and

(vi) processing, at the wireless output device, at least part of the digital content received in (v) for outputting or playing at the wireless output device, the processing includes at least one of a color operation, an image processing operation, a scaling operation, a resolution operation, an interpolation operation, a decoding operation, or an encoding operation, individually or in any combination, on at least part of the digital content received in (v).

2. The wireless output device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless output device is a television or an external output controller wire connectable to a television;

and wherein the wireless output device further includes an Ethernet interface for the wireless output device to connect to a local area network, wherein the wireless output device is further operable for establishing, using the Ethernet interface, a wired connection to a local area network for accessing the network;

thereby, the wireless output device further provides another connecting option by establishing a wired connection to the one or more servers or host computers in the network without the need for establishing the wireless local area network employing, at least in part, the security information in step (i) and (ii).

3. The wireless output device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless output device is an external output controller connectable to a television via a wired connection to the television, and wherein the wireless output device is further operable for transmitting at least part of the processed digital content in (vi) via the wired connection to the television for outputting or rendering at least part of the processed digital content at the television.

4. The wireless output device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving of the digital content in (v), from the one or more application servers or content servers operated, at least partly, over the Internet by the digital content service, is dependent on the wireless output device having provided, to the one or more application servers or content servers, authentication information for accessing the digital content service, the authentication information includes one or more of a user name, a password, an ID number, an address, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination.

5. The wireless output device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless output device is at least a television, and the television includes a display screen or projection medium, and wherein the interface for interacting with the user includes an user interface for interacting with the user over the display screen or projection medium of the television.

6. The wireless output device according to claim 1, wherein the interface included in the wireless output device is a wireless interface for communicating with a smart phone, and wherein receiving, using the interface of the wireless output device, the security information in (i) includes receiving the security information from the smart phone using the wireless interface.

7. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless local area network connection established in (ii) includes using the at least one wireless communication unit that is compatible, at least partly, with at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless local area network communication.

8. A wireless output method for setting up a wireless output device to receive digital content from a digital content service accessible, at least partly, over the Internet, the wireless output device is at least one of a television, a wireless output controller wire connectable to a television, a projector, or a speaker, individually or in any combination, and the wireless output device includes:

memory for storing software,

one or more processors for executing at least part of software stored in the memory, and

wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication;

the wireless output method performed at the wireless output device, comprising;

(1) wirelessly receiving, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless output device and from a portable wireless device, security information for the wireless output device to establish a wireless local area network connection, the security information includes one or more of a name, a password, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, a security key, individually or in any combination, and the portable wireless device is a distinct device from the wireless output device;

(2) establishing, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless output device, the wireless local area network connection employing, at least in part, the security information received in (1);

(3) downloading, using the wireless communication circuitry and via the wireless local area network connection established in (2), software components from one or more servers or host computers over a network, the software components including at least part of a software application or data, and the software components for upgrading, updating, adding, or modifying features and capabilities of the wireless output device;

(4) installing, at the wireless output device, the software components downloaded in (3);

(5) receiving, using at least part of the wireless communication circuitry and facilitated, at least in part, by the software components installed in (4), digital content from one or more application servers or content servers operated, at least partly, by the digital content service, and the digital content from the digital content service includes audio digital content or video digital content, individually or in any combination; and

(6) outputting or playing, at the wireless output device, at least part of the digital content received in (5).

9. The wireless output method according to claim 8, wherein, subsequent to receiving the digital content from the digital content service in (5), the wireless output device is thereafter setup for repeating step (5) for receiving additional digital content from the digital content service and step (6) for outputting or playing at least part of the additional digital content at the wireless output device without repeating step (1) to step (4).

10. The wireless output method according to claim 8, wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets that are compatible, at least partly, with at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless local area network communication, and wherein the wireless local area network connection established in (2) is established, at least in part, by the one or more chips or chipsets.

11. The wireless output method according to claim 10, wherein the security information wirelessly received from the portable wireless device in (1) is received using a wireless communication protocol that is compatible, at least partly, with at least one of (i) a Bluetooth specification or (ii) a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards.

12. The wireless output method according to claim 8, wherein the wireless output device further includes operating system software stored in the memory and executable, at least partly, by the one or more processors, for managing software applications at the wireless output device;

and wherein downloading the software components in (3) and installing of the software components in (4) are both facilitated, at least in part, by the operating system software.

13. The wireless output method according to claim 12, wherein subsequent to establishing the wireless local area network connection in (2), the wireless output device automatically connects the wireless output device to the one or more servers or host computers for downloading the software components in (3) and for installing the software components in (4).

14. The wireless output method according to claim 12, wherein the receiving of the digital content, over the Internet, from the one or more application servers or content servers operated, at least partly, by the digital content service in (5), is dependent on the wireless output device having provided authentication information to the one or more application servers or content servers for accessing the digital content from the digital content service, the authentication information includes one or more of a user name, a password, an ID number, an address, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having recorded therein software for setting up a wireless output system to receive digital content from a digital content service operated, at least partly, over the Internet, the wireless output system is at least one of a television system, a wireless output controller system wire connectable to a television, a projector system, or a speaker system, individually or in any combination, the wireless output system includes:

memory for storing at least part of the software,

one or more processors,

an output device that is at least one of a display screen, a speaker, a television, a wireless output controller wire connectable to a television, or a projector, individually or in any combination, and

wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication;

wherein execution of at least part of the software by the one or more processors included in the wireless output system causes the wireless output system to perform a wireless output method, comprising;

(1) wirelessly receiving, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless output system and from a portable wireless device, security information for the wireless output system to establish a wireless local area network connection, the security information includes one or more of a name, a password, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, or a security key, individually or in any combination, and the portable wireless device is a distinct device from the wireless output system;

(2) establishing, using the wireless communication circuitry at the wireless output system, a wireless local area network connection employing, at least in part, the security information received from the portable wireless device in (1);

(3) downloading, using the wireless communication circuitry and subsequent to having established the wireless local area network connection in (2), application software or software components or data from one or more servers or host computers over a network, the application software or software components or data for upgrading, updating, or modifying features and capabilities of the wireless output system;

(4) installing, at the wireless output system, the application software or software components or data downloaded in (3);

(5) accessing, using the wireless communication circuitry, one or more application servers or content servers operated, at least partly, by the digital content service over the Internet, the accessing of the digital content service facilitated, at least in part, by the application software or software components or data downloaded in (3) and installed in (4); and

(6) receiving, using the wireless communication circuitry, digital content from the one or more application servers or content servers accessed in (5), wherein the received digital content includes audio digital content or video digital content for outputting or playing at the output device.

16. The medium according to claim 15, wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes one or more chips or chipsets that support, at least partly, at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless local area network communication, and the one or more chips or chipsets further support at least one wireless communication protocol that is compatible, at least partly, with at least a protocol within Bluetooth standards or specifications.

17. The medium according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises:

(7) processing, at the wireless output system and by the one or more processors, at least part of the digital content received in (6), the processing includes at least one of a color correction operation, a digital imaging operation, a scaling operation, a resolution operation, an interpolation operation, a decoding operation, or an encoding operation, individually or in any combination, on at least part of the received digital content in (6), and the processing of the at least part of the digital content is facilitated, at least in part, by the application software or software components or data downloaded in (3) and installed in (4); and

(8) outputting or playing, using the output device of the wireless output system, at least part of the processed digital content in (7).

18. The medium according to claim 16, wherein the wireless output system further includes operating system software that is stored in the memory and executable, at least partly, by the one or more processors;

and wherein the downloading of the application software or software components or data in (3) and the installing of the application software or software components or data in (4) are each facilitated, at least in part, by the operating system software.

19. The medium according to claim 15, wherein the wireless output system further supports voice activated command interface for interacting with a user.

20. The medium according to claim 18, wherein accessing the digital content service operated, at least partly, over the Internet in (5), is dependent on the wireless output system having provided to the digital content service, authentication information for accessing digital content from the digital content service, the authentication information includes one or more of a user name, a password, an ID number, an address, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination.