U.S. patent application number 11/960365 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for apparatus and method of mobile media presentation docking station for portable electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Patrick Wright-Riley.
Application Number | 20090163139 11/960365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40789229 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090163139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright-Riley; Patrick |
June 25, 2009 |
Apparatus and Method of Mobile Media Presentation Docking Station
for Portable Electronic Device
Abstract
A portable electronic device has a wireless receiver configured
to receive wireless content, a communication interface configured
to interface to a docking station having at least one connected
media presentation host device, and content reproduction circuitry.
The content reproduction circuitry is configured to determine a
format required by the media presentation host device and stream
the content to the host device through the communication interface
in the required format.
Inventors: |
Wright-Riley; Patrick;
(Villanova, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Motorola, Inc.;Law Department
1303 East Algonquin Road, 3rd Floor
Schaumburg
IL
60196
US
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL INSTRUMENT
CORPORATION
Horsham
PA
|
Family ID: |
40789229 |
Appl. No.: |
11/960365 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/39 ; 710/303;
715/864 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1632
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/39 ; 710/303;
715/864 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/24 20060101
H04B007/24; G06F 13/00 20060101 G06F013/00; G06F 13/14 20060101
G06F013/14 |
Claims
1. A portable electronic device; said device comprising: a wireless
receiver configured to receive wireless content; a communication
interface configured to interface to a docking station having at
least one connected media presentation host device; and content
reproduction circuitry; wherein said content reproduction circuitry
is configured to determine a format required by said media
presentation host device and stream said content to said host
device through said communication interface in said format.
2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein said portable
electronic device further comprises circuitry configured to detect
a connection to said media presentation host device.
3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a
wireless transmitter configured to communicate with a source of
said wireless content.
4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a
display screen.
5. The portable electronic device of claim 4, wherein said content
reproduction circuitry is further configured to reproduce said
content on said display screen when said portable electronic device
is not connected to said docking station.
6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein said
reproduction circuitry is further configured to convert said
wireless content from a first format into said format required by
said media presentation host device.
7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein said format
required by said media presentation host device is selected from
the group consisting of: television broadcast formats, radio
broadcast formats, high-definition video formats, high-definition
audio formats, conventional analog video formats, conventional
analog audio formats, streaming video formats, and combinations and
derivatives thereof.
8. A system of mobile media presentation, comprising: a remote
content provider; and a portable electronic device in wireless
communication with said remote content provider; wherein said
portable electronic device is configured to receive content from
said remote content provider of a first resolution when
transmitting said content to a media presentation host device, and
of a second resolution when not transmitting said content to a
media presentation host device.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said remote personal electronic
comprises a media reproduction apparatus selected from the group
consisting of: display screens, speakers, and combinations
thereof.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said portable electronic device
is configured to reproduce said content on said display screen when
not transmitting said content to said media presentation host
device.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein said portable electronic device
comprises interface circuitry configured to selectively connect
with a docking station; wherein said docking station is in
communication with said media presentation host device.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said interface circuitry is
further configured to detect a connection to said docking station
and retrieve resolution information from media presentation host
device upon said detection.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein said portable electronic device
is configured to transmit a request to said remote content provider
to change said resolution of said content upon detecting a change
in connection status of said docking station.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein said first and second formats
are selected from the group consisting of: television broadcast
formats, radio broadcast formats, high-definition video formats,
high-definition audio formats, conventional analog video formats,
conventional analog audio formats, streaming video formats, and
combinations and derivatives thereof.
15. A method of mobile media presentation, said method comprising:
streaming digital content having a first format to a portable
electronic device; receiving an indication that said portable
electronic device has been connected to a docking station; and
streaming digital content to said portable electronic device in a
second format.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving an
indication from said portable electronic device of a desired
resolution.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said digital content is
streamed to said portable electronic device in said second format
at said desired resolution.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein said second resolution is
higher than said first resolution.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein said second format comprises a
desired content protocol indicated by said portable electronic
device.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:
receiving an indication that said portable electronic device has
been disconnected from said docking station; and resuming streaming
digital content to said portable electronic device at said first
resolution.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Portable electronic devices provide users with an
ever-increasing array of features and capabilities. For example,
wireless telephones, personal digital assistants, smart phones,
pocket computers and similar devices allow users to manage data,
make phone calls and send or receive text or email messages.
[0002] Additionally, many portable electronic devices can provide a
wireless connection to the Internet. This connection may be
provided, for example, through a wireless or wi-fi hot-spot or
through a network of transceiver stations disposed throughout a
service area, such as a mobile telephone network. Many different
systems and protocols can be used to wirelessly connect a portable
electronic device to the Internet or other computer network through
the system of a wireless service provider.
[0003] With access to the Internet or other service provide
computer network, portable electronic devices are increasingly able
to provide access to a wide variety of audio and audiovisual media
content. For example, using a portable electronic device, a user
may be able to download or stream audio or audiovisual content such
as songs, news footage, video clips, music videos, movies,
television programs, etc. Any audio, visual or audiovisual content
can be downloaded or streamed to these portable electronic
devices.
[0004] This access to an unlimited variety of content through
portable electronic devices is particularly helpful for users
because the content can be accessed and enjoyed from any location
within the wireless service area that supports the portable
electronic device. Consequently, the user can access desired audio
or audiovisual content when away from home or office, for example,
when traveling, waiting for an appointment, doing errands, etc.
[0005] However, portable electronic devices are, by their nature,
compact in size so as to be easily carried on the user's person. As
a result, the display device on a portable electronic device is
typically quite small, which may effect the user's ability or
desire to watch streamed video content on the portable electronic
device.
[0006] Additionally, when listening to audio using a portable
electronic device, the user must typically wear earphones or
headphones. This prevents those near the user from having to listen
to the audio being enjoyed by the user. Additionally, ear or
headphones conserve the limited power in a portable electronic
device as compared to the power that would be required to operate
larger speakers if the user were not wearing headphones.
[0007] Watching a relatively tiny display device and/or using an
earpiece or headphones may be satisfactory to enable portability.
However, the user may sometimes be in the process of viewing and/or
listening to content on the portable electronic device when the
user arrives at his or her home or office or some other place where
the user could access a device with a larger, higher density
display, higher quality speakers, or other enhanced features for
playback of the audiovisual content.
[0008] In such a case, the user typically must finish watching the
desired content on the relatively inconvenient, small display of
the portable electronic device or discontinue watching the desired
content on the portable device and then activate another device,
such as a computer or set-top box, and restart, most likely at
addition cost, the download or stream of the desired content to the
new device which provides the advantage of a larger screen,
speakers and/or enhanced user interface.
[0009] Clearly, it is inconvenient to discontinue viewing content
on a portable device and re-access the content on another device,
at additional cost. While the second device may provide a larger
screen or other features that make it easier to enjoy the content,
the user will waste time transitioning between devices.
Additionally, the user may have to start again at the beginning of
the program or content, even though a substantial portion has
already been experienced on the portable device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of
the principles described herein and are a part of the
specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and
do not limit the scope of the claims.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of an illustrative portable
electronic device.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an illustrative portable electronic
device being inserted into an illustrative docking station.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of another view of an
illustrative portable electronic device.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram of media content from an illustrative
portable electronic device being displayed on an illustrative host
device of an illustrative docking station.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an illustrative system of mobile
media presentation.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative system of
mobile media presentation.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an illustrative system of
mobile media presentation.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an illustrative system of
mobile media presentation.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an illustrative system of
mobile media presentation.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an illustrative portable
electronic device.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an illustrative method of
mobile media presentation.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an illustrative method of
mobile media presentation.
[0023] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] To address the issues presented by the ability to download
or stream content to a portable electronic device, but possibly
wanting to transition the experience of that content to a device
with a larger display or other features for enhancing the user's
enjoyment of the content, the present specification describes a
novel system in which the portable electronic device can be
selectively connected to, or brought into communication with, a
second audiovisual playback system that provides or includes a
larger display or other features for enhancing the user's enjoyment
of the content. As described herein, this interfacing of the
portable electronic device and the second audiovisual playback
system can automatically initiate playback of the content, without
interruption or needing to restart or re-access the content, on the
second audiovisual system.
[0025] As used herein and in the appended claims, the term
"portable electronic device" is used to refer to any portable
electronic device that can be used to experience audio, visual, or
audio visual content, particularly where the content is provided to
the portable electronic device wirelessly through a supporting
wireless network. Consequently, the term "portable electronic
device" may include, but is not limited to, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), cellular and mobile telephones, smart phones,
MP3 players, portable global positioning system (GPS) units,
portable satellite receivers, pocket and laptop computers and the
like. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that new
portable devices continue to be developed and marketed to consumers
who use them for a variety of purposes. Such new portable devices
may also be included in the broad definition of a portable
electronic device for purposes of the present specification and the
techniques disclosed.
[0026] As used in the present specification and in the appended
claims, the term "content" or "media content" refers to any audio,
visual or audiovisual data including, but not limited to, still
images with or without audio, video images with or without audio,
audio content only, and any combinations thereof. Examples of such
content may include broadcast television content, pay-per-view
content, video on demand content, music videos, music without
video, email messages, electronic text, ebooks, video books, web
pages and others.
[0027] As used in the present specification and in the appended
claims, the term "host device" will be used to refer to an
electronic content playback device. Typically, the host device will
include or provide a relatively large screen, speakers and/or other
features that tend to improve or enhance a user's enjoyment of
media content being played back as compared to playback on a
portable electronic device. Typically, the host device is generally
a non-portable device, but this is not necessarily so.
[0028] As used in the present specification and in the appended
claims, the term "docking station" refers to an electronic device
configured to communicatively couple or interface a portable
electronic device and a host device. The docking station may
physically support or house the portable electronic device, but
this is not necessarily so. In some embodiments, the docking
station is specifically configured to transmit media content from
the portable electronic device to the host device. In this way, the
user can seamlessly transition between experiencing content
playback on the portable electronic device to playback of the same
content on the host device.
[0029] To overcome the issues described above, the present
specification discloses various embodiments of systems that allow a
user to seamlessly shift playback of media content between a
portable electronic device and a host device that can interface
with the portable device. Some of these embodiments include a
docking station for the portable electronic device. In such
embodiments, a first communication interface is configured to
interface the portable electronic device and the docking station. A
second communication interface is configured to interface the
docking station with the host device. In some embodiments, the
docking station is configured to detect when the portable
electronic device is interfaced with the docking station and
automatically supersede and replace existing media content being
replayed on the host device with the content from the portable
electronic device. The media content may be transmitted to the host
device in a format supported by the host device.
[0030] Additionally, the present specification discloses a method
of mobile media presentation, including the steps of detecting a
new interface between a host device and a portable electronic
device, superseding other means of content delivery associated with
the host device, receiving streaming media content from the
portable electronic device, streaming the media content to the host
device in a format compatible with the host device, and presenting
the media content on the host device.
[0031] In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
systems and methods may be practiced without these specific
details. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "an
example" or similar language means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment or example is included in at least that one embodiment,
but not necessarily in other embodiments. The various instances of
the phrase "in one embodiment" or similar phrases in various places
in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
[0032] The principles disclosed herein will now be discussed with
respect to exemplary systems and methods of media content
presentation.
Illustrative Systems
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative portable electronic
device (100) is shown according to the principles described herein.
The illustrative portable electronic device (100) has a main case
or housing (101), a screen (103), which may be a touch-sensitive
screen in some embodiments, and a user interface.
[0034] In the illustrated example, the screen (103) is a
touch-sensitive screen, and the user interface includes "soft
button" style controls (109, 111, 113, 115, 117) displayed on a
lower portion of the screen (103). Consequently, the "soft button"
controls (109, 111, 113, 115) of the portable electronic device
(100) may be operated by pressure on the touch-sensitive screen
with a stylus (119), a user's finger or the like.
[0035] In other embodiments, where a touch-sensitive is not
necessarily used, the user interface of the portable electronic
device (100) may include physical buttons on the housing (101) that
provide various functions when actuated depending on a label
displayed in connection with that physical button on the display
screen (103). In still other embodiments, physical buttons in the
housing (101) may have predetermined functions that do not
change.
[0036] The exemplary portable electronic device (100) is shown
displaying video content (107) on the screen (103). In some
embodiments, the media content (107) is transmitted wirelessly to
an antenna (105) of the portable electronic device (100). The
antenna (105) may be internal or external to the portable
electronic device (100). In some embodiments, the user of the
portable electronic device (100) may receive paid media content
from a cellular or mobile network provider. In other embodiments,
the video media content (107) may be received wirelessly through
internet access provided by a wireless computer network (also
referred to as a "Wi-Fi" network) or a connection to another
electronic device, such as a computer or another portable
electronic device. In still other embodiments, the media content
(107) may be content that is broadcast generally to the public,
such as a television broadcast.
[0037] In some embodiments, the video media content (107)
reproduced by the portable electronic device (100) may be content
that was downloaded to the portable electronic device (100) and
stored on a hard disk or other electronic storage device (e.g.
flash RAM) of the portable electronic device (100). In other
embodiments, the video media content (107) may be streamed or
streaming to the portable electronic device (100) through the
wireless connection described above.
[0038] The portable electronic device (100) and/or software running
on the portable electronic device (100) may be designed to
facilitate the manipulation of the media content (107) that is
being reproduced on the screen (107). For example, some of the
"soft button" controls (109, 111, 113, 115) may be used to affect
the rate or direction of a playback mode. Additional options may be
adjusted, or additional functions provided, through the menu "soft
button" control (117). Similar control functions can be provided
regardless of the type of user interface provided with the portable
device (100).
[0039] As noted above, in various different embodiments, the
portable electronic device (100) may be a personal digital
assistant (PDA), a cellular or mobile phone, a personal media
player, or other generic device. In such embodiments, the portable
electronic device (100) may have special software installed
permitting the user to access media content that is stored on, or
wirelessly transmitted to, the portable electronic device (100). In
other embodiments, the portable electronic device (100) may be
specifically designed for the purpose of receiving the wireless
transmission of the media content (107) from a specific provider
and then reproducing or playing back the media content (107).
[0040] In any case, the portable electronic device (100), as will
be described in detail below, is configured to be selectively
interfaced with a host device to enhance the user's experience in
playing back the media content (107). In such instances, the
portable electronic device (100) becomes a content source for the
host device.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 2, the portable electronic device
(100) is selectively interfaced with a host device (203) to enhance
the user's experience in playing back the media content (107). The
docking station (201) may comprise a processing element (202)
configured to run firmware, software or a combination thereof
(referred to collectively herein as "software"). Examples of
suitable processing elements (202) include, but are not limited to,
microprocessors, computing devices, application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), Field Gate Programmable Arrays, and combinations
thereof. The software running on the processing element (202) may
be configured to convert the media content received from the
portable electronic device (100) into a format supported by the
host device (203). In some embodiments, the software may identify
the format supported by the host device (203) and request media
content from the portable electronic device (100) in the format
supported by host device (203), if available.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the portable electronic device (100) is
designed to be interfaced with, connected to, supported by and/or
housed in, a docking station (201). In some embodiments, the
docking station may simply be a cable connected to a port of the
portable electronic device (100). In still other embodiments, the
docking station (201) may be a wireless transceiver for interfacing
wirelessly with the portable electronic device (100) whether or not
the two are in physical contact. In the illustrated example of FIG.
2, the docking station (201) includes a cradle for receiving and
physically supporting the portable electronic device (100) as well
as providing a data communication path between the portable
electronic device (100) and the host device (203). The docking
station (201) may be separate from, or integrated in, the host
device (203). In either case, the docking station (201) is
communicatively coupled with the host device (203).
[0043] When a user desires playback media content (107) that is
received or stored by the portable electronic device (100) to be
presented on the host device (203), the portable electronic device
(100) is interfaced with the docking station (201). When interfaced
with the docking station (201), the portable electronic device
(100) transmits the data needed to display the desired media
content (107) on the host device (203).
[0044] In the present example, the host device (203) is shown as a
large screen monitor or television device. However, the host device
(203) may be any device suitable for reproducing the media content
(107) from the portable electronic device (100), for example, a
computer system or set-top box and monitor system. In some
embodiments, the content (107) is video content and utilizes both a
display and speakers. In other embodiments, the media content (107)
is only audio, and speakers may suffice as the host device (203).
In yet other embodiments, the content (107) may include any
combination of still or active video and/or audio.
[0045] As indicated, there are a number of different arrangements
for communicatively interfacing the portable electronic device
(100) and the docking station (201). In many embodiments, this
interface is electrical. FIG. 3 shows an example of a portable
electronic device (100) that has an electrical connector (301)
disposed on one edge of the portable electronic device (100). The
electrical connector (301) is configured to mate with a
corresponding electrical connector in the docking station (201,
FIG. 2), thus establishing data communication between the portable
electronic device (100) and the docking station (201, FIG. 2). The
electrical connector (301) may have a plurality of individual pins
or electrical traces.
[0046] In other embodiments, the communication interface between
the portable electronic device (100) and the docking station may be
obtained using optical or wireless means. For example, returning to
FIG. 2, the portable electronic device (100) and the docking
station (201) may both have hardware and software that enable
BlueTooth communication or infrared (IR) communication between the
portable electronic device (100) and the docking station (201).
Many types of communications systems are available in the art, and
any of these that enable bilateral communication between the
portable electronic device (100) and the docking station (201) may
be used in accordance with the principles of the present
specification.
[0047] Still with reference to FIG. 2, the interface between the
portable electronic device (100) and the docking station (201) can
carry several different types of signals including a media content
signal, control signal and power. In some embodiments, increased
data bandwidth is achieved by transmitting media content over
several individual pins of the connector (301, FIG. 3) from the
portable electronic device (100) to the docking station (201). In
other embodiments, additional electrical connections between the
portable electronic device (100) and the docking station (201) may
be used to provide control signals or power to the portable
electronic device (100).
[0048] In some embodiments, a remote control device (205) may be in
communication with the docking station (201) or the host device
(203) and provide user input through the docking station (201) to
the portable electronic device (100) such that the media content is
manipulated according to a user's preferences. In other examples,
the remote control device (205) may communicate directly with the
portable device (100).
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 4, the portable electronic device
(100) is shown docked in the docking station (201). The docking
station (201) is in communication with the host device (203), which
is displaying the media content (107) from the portable electronic
device (100) on a display or screen (401).
[0050] The media content from the portable electronic device (100)
is displayed on the screen (401) of the host device (203) in a
format and resolution used by the host device (203). As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as demonstrated by the
present example, a wide disparity between resolution and display
sizes may exist between the portable electronic device (100) and
the host device (203) or between different host devices. Thus,
media content that is of an acceptable format and resolution for
the portable electronic device (100) may not necessarily be
suitable for display by the host device (203). This difference
between the inherent display characteristics of the portable (100)
and host (203) devices can be addressed in a number of ways.
[0051] In some embodiments, the docking station (201) is configured
to detect when the portable electronic device (100) is connected
to, or otherwise interfaced with, the docking station (201). In
response, the docking station (201) will signal the host device
(203) to supersede or replace any existing media content being
displayed on the host device (203) with the content incoming from
the portable electronic device (100). For example, if the host
device (203) is displaying some media content from some source
other than the portable electronic device (100), the docking
station (201) may automatically switch the input source of media
content in the host device (203) to the media content (107)
received from the portable electronic device (100) upon
establishing an interface with the portable electronic device
(100), thus superseding the existing media content on the host
device (203). The docking station (201) may accomplish this by
sending a special control signal to the host device (203) once an
interface with the portable electronic device (100) is detected by
the docking station (201).
[0052] In some embodiments, the portable electronic device (100)
may only be able to transmit media content (107) to the docking
device (201) in a limited number of formats, none of which are
compatible with the host device (203). In these cases, the docking
station (201) may be configured to receive the media content (107)
from the portable electronic device (100) in a first format and
reconvert the media content (107) to a second format that is
compatible with the host device (203) prior to outputting the media
content (107) to the host device (203) for playback. This
conversion by the docking station (201) may occur in real-time in
some embodiments and on a time-delayed basis in others.
[0053] In some cases, different docking stations (201) may be
produced for use with different host devices (203). In other cases,
universal docking stations (201) are configured to convert media
content to all, or at least the most likely, formats that may be
used. Still in other embodiments, programmable docking stations
(201) may be flexibly configured by a user or operator to convert
media content (107) from one specific format to another.
[0054] Still in other embodiments, the portable electronic device
(100) may be configured to transmit media content (107) to the
docking station (201) in a plurality of different formats. The
appropriate media content (107) format for the host device (203)
may be selected from among the available formats by the docking
station (201) and relayed to the host device (203).
[0055] In other examples, the correct format for the host device
(203) may be communicated to the portable electronic device (100)
automatically through the docking station (201) by the docking
station (201), host device (203) or user input. The portable
electronic device (100) can then discontinue outputting the media
content (107) in any but the indicated format.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 5, an illustrative system (500) of
mobile media presentation is shown. The system (500) includes a
plurality of host devices (507, 517, 519) and at least one portable
electronic device (100) operated by a user (501).
[0057] The illustrative system (500) includes a satellite
transmitter (503) in wireless communication with the portable
electronic device (100). The satellite transmitter (503) of this
example provides the portable electronic device (100) with
streaming or downloaded media content (107, FIG. 1) which may be
played, paused, or otherwise reproduced by the portable electronic
device (100). In other embodiments, the media content (107, FIG. 1)
may be provided to the portable electronic device (100) via a
cellular-type transmitter, a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver, a
Bluetooth transceiver, a public broadcast antenna, or the like. In
any of these embodiments, the media content (107, FIG. 1) may be
stored electronically in the portable electronic device (100) or
streamed in real time.
[0058] Each of the host devices (507, 517, 519) has a corresponding
docking station (513, 515, 520) configured to interface with a
portable electronic device (100). As explained above, interfacing
the portable device (100) and a host device enables the host device
to display media content (107, FIG. 1) received from or through the
portable electronic device (100).
[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, one of the host devices (519) may be
installed inside an automobile (522). As in other instances, a
docking station (520) corresponding to the host device (519) is
provided in the automobile (522). The docking station (520) inside
the vehicle (522) permits the transfer of media content (107, FIG.
1) from the portable electronic device (100) to an interior display
and speakers (519) accessible by passengers.
[0060] The system (500) illustrated in FIG. 5 exhibits true
seamless mobility of the playback of the media content (107, FIG.
1). The portable electronic device (100) constantly receives the
media content (107, FIG. 1) regardless of physical changes in
location. The dotted lines (505, 509, 511) represent an exemplary
path of the portable electronic device (100) between different host
devices (507, 517, 519).
[0061] In accordance with the present example, the portable
electronic device (100) may be constantly receiving a stream of
media content (107, FIG. 1) from the satellite transmitter (503).
The portable electronic device (100) may initially be interfaced
with the first host device (507) and displaying the content (107,
FIG. 1) on the first host device (507) through the docking station
(513). A user (501) of the portable electronic device (100) may
then desire to change locations and display the media content (107,
FIG. 1) on another host device (517) via the corresponding docking
station (515). This second host device (517) may be in another room
or building or may provide features desired by the user that are
unavailable with the first host device (507) or the second host
device (517) may simply be in another location to which the user
(501) wants to move.
[0062] Eventually, the user (501) may undock the portable
electronic device (100) from the second host device (517) and
connect the portable electronic device (100) to a docking station
(520) associated with the host device (519) in the automobile
(522). The automobile host device (519) may then display the media
content (107, FIG. 1) on an interior audio-visual system of the
automobile (522).
[0063] Throughout the changes in location, the user (501) may
receive the media content (107, FIG. 1) from a single source (e.g.,
503). The user (501) may also seamlessly transport the playback of
the media content (107, FIG. 1) from location to location without
loss of media content in the interim or restarting the program at
each location.
[0064] When not interfaced with any of the host devices, the
portable device (100) itself may play back the media content that
the user has selected, depending on user preference. In some
embodiments, the media content (107, FIG. 1) may be paused by the
portable electronic device (100) during transfers between docking
stations (513, 515, 520). In other embodiments, the user (501) may
view the media content (107, FIG. 1) on the display of the portable
electronic device (100) while transporting the portable electronic
device (100) between host devices (507, 517, 519).
[0065] Docking station (515) is shown having a sensor (521) that is
configured to receive signals from a remote control device (523).
The signals from the remote control may control certain playback
aspects of the media content (107, FIG. 1). Any or all of the
docking stations in the illustrated example may be controllable
with the same or separate remote control devices. Examples of
playback aspects that the remote control signals may affect
include, but are not limited to, playback speed, playback sequence,
playback volume, and playback resolution. Once the signals from the
remote control device (523) are detected at the sensor (521), the
appropriate control signals may be sent to the portable electronic
device (100) by the docking station (515). In other embodiments,
the remote control device (523) may communicate directly with the
portable device (100).
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 6, an illustrative system (600) of
mobile media presentation (600) is shown. The system (600) includes
a content source (605) in communication with a portable electronic
device (607). The content source (605) may be a subscription-based
network provider, an internet server via a wireless network, a
device on an ad-hoc type network, or the like. In the illustrated
example, the content source (605) and portable electronic device
(607) each have an antenna (601, 603, respectively), thus enabling
wireless communication between the content source (605) and the
portable electronic device (607). However, other communication
systems between the content source (605) and the portable
electronic device (607) could be used.
[0067] The portable electronic device (607) is also in
communication with a docking station (609) through a first
communication interface (608). The docking station (609) is in
communication with a host device (613) through a second
communication interface (612), according to principles described
previously in the present specification. In some embodiments, the
docking station (609) is configured to detect to the interface
(608) with the portable electronic device (607), when established,
and supersede existing media content then being presented on the
host device (613). Media content is then transmitted from the
portable electronic device (607) to the host device (613) for
playback via the docking station (609).
[0068] The docking station (609) of the present example is also in
communication with a remote control device (611). The docking
station (609) may have a sensor configured to detect signals from
the remote control device (611). The processing element (610) may
decode the signals from the remote control device (611) and
interact accordingly with the portable electronic device (607). The
signal from the remote control device (611) may be configured to
control certain playback aspects of the media content, such as, but
not limited to, playback speed, playback sequence, playback volume,
playback resolution, and combinations thereof.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 7, another illustrative system (700)
of mobile media presentation is shown. In the example of FIG. 7, a
single content source (701) may be in communication with a
plurality of portable electronic devices (711, 713, 715) through
respective antennas (703, 705, 707, 709). The content source (701)
may be broadcasting the same media content to each of the portable
electronic devices (711, 713, 715). In other embodiments, the
portable electronic devices (711, 713, 715) may receive different
media content from the same content source (701) by multiplexing
signals in the frequency domain or the time domain, addressing data
packets to specific devices, multicast addressing, or using other
methods available in the art.
[0070] Two of the portable electronic devices (711, 715) are shown
in communication with docking stations (717, 719, respectively),
which are, in turn, in communication with host devices (721, 723).
The media content may be transmitted to the portable electronic
devices (711, 713, 715) regardless of the docking status of the
portable electronic devices (711, 713, 715). However, in some
embodiments, the resolution and/or format of the media content
transmitted to a particular portable electronic device (711, 713,
715) may vary according to that device's docking status and the
type of host device (721, 723) associated with the docking station
(711, 715) to which the portable device (711, 715) is interfaced.
Specifically, the content source (701) may provide media content
that is formatted for a particular host device (e.g., 721) when
signaled that the corresponding portable electronic device (e.g.,
711) is interfaced with that particular type of host device
(721).
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 8, a cellular network may be used to
transmit the media content to a portable electronic device (808).
An illustrative system (800) of mobile media presentation is shown
having a plurality of transceivers (802, 803, 804) in communication
with a central server (801) that acts as a content source. The
transceivers (802, 803, 804) are each associated with a certain
geographic region (805, 806, 807) or "cell." Together all the cells
make up a service area.
[0072] The portable electronic device (808) may travel within the
service area, crossing from one geographic region (805, 806, 807)
into another, during the course of a media content transmission.
Consequently, the transceiver (802, 803, 804) providing the media
content to the portable electronic device (808) may be switched to
that transceiver (802, 803, 804) corresponding to the geographic
region (805, 806, 807) occupied by the portable electronic device
(808) at any given time. In this way, continuity of the media
content stream and playback may be provided through the portable
electronic device (808).
[0073] As in earlier examples, the portable electronic device (808)
of the present example may be interfaced with a docking station
(809) and, by extension, a media presentation host device (810)
that is configured to display the media content received by the
portable electronic device (808). The docking station (809) and
host device (810) of the present example are portable, and remain
in communication with the portable electronic device (808) as the
portable electronic device (808) moves between the various
geographic regions (805, 806, 807) of the service area. In some
embodiments, the docking station (809) and media presentation host
device (810) may be associated with an automobile, thus appearing
to be mobile while located in a single entity.
[0074] Alternatively, the portable electronic device (808) may
disconnect from the docking station (809) and host device (810)
prior to or during transportation. In some embodiments, additional
docking stations with accompanying media presentation host devices
may be available in the other geographic regions (805, 806,
807).
Illustrative Methods
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of an illustrative
method (900) of mobile media presentation is shown. The illustrated
method (900) may be executed within a docking station that is
interfaced or in communication with a portable electronic device
and a media presentation host device. The method (900) includes the
step of detecting (step 901) the interface with the portable
electronic device, when established. The newly established
interface may be detected when communication between the host
device and the portable electronic device is established through
the docking station. The portable electronic device or the docking
station may then signal to the host device that media content is
available from the portable electronic device
[0076] In some embodiments, the portable electronic device may then
cease outputting the content using its own hardware and user
interface. (step 903). In any case, the portable electronic device
then transmits the content through the external interface with the
docking station (step 905).
[0077] In some embodiments, data is provided to the portable
electronic device already in a format compatible with the host
device. In such cases, the content can be streamed unchanged from
the portable electronic device to the host through the docking
station. In other embodiments, the format of the content as
initially received by the portable electronic device may not be
compatible with the host device. Thus, it may be determined whether
the content should be reformatted for the host device (decision
907). If reformatting is indicated, the docking station may convert
the format of the content to a format used by the host device (step
909). Although, in alternative embodiments, this conversion may be
performed by some other system component.
[0078] The media content is then presented (step 911) on the host
device to a user. In some embodiments, other means of content
delivery associated with the host device are then superseded (step
910). In other words, the host device does not playback media
content received from any source other than the portable electronic
device throughout the duration of the transmission of media content
from the portable electronic device. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the way in which the media content is presented on the
host device may be altered in response to input from a remote
control device.
[0079] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart of another
illustrative method (1000) of mobile media presentation is shown.
The method (1000) includes the step of detecting (step 1001) an
interface with the portable electronic device, when
established.
[0080] Streaming media content is received (step 1003), by the
docking station, from the portable electronic device, and the
format of the media content is then determined (step 1005). The
docking station determines (decision 1007) if the format of the
media content is compatible with the host device. If the format is
not compatible with the host device, the streaming media content is
converted (step 1009), by the docking station, to a format
compatible with the host device. The media content is then streamed
(step 1011) to the host device in a format compatible with the host
device, where it is presented (step 1013) to a user. In the event
that the format of the media content is found (decision 1007) to be
compatible with the host device, the media content is simply
streamed (step 1011) to the host device, where it is presented
(step 1013) to the user.
[0081] Referring now to FIG. 11, a flowchart of another
illustrative method (1100) of mobile media presentation is shown.
The method (1100) includes receiving (step 1101) streaming media
content wirelessly in a portable electronic device. The media
content is then reproduced (step 1103) on a first host device
associated with a first docking station to which the portable
electronic device is interfaced.
[0082] The stream of media content from the portable electronic
device is paused (step 1105) and the portable electronic device is
removed (step 1107) from the first docking station. The portable
electronic device is then interfaced (step 1109) to a second
docking station, and the stream of media content from the portable
electronic device is then resumed (step 1111). The media content is
then transmitted (step 1113) to the second host device through the
second docking station.
[0083] In some embodiments, the display and reproduction of the
media content may be continued by the portable electronic device
between the disconnection (step 1107) from the first docking
station and the interfacing (step 1109) to the second docking
station. In other embodiments, the reproduction or playback of the
media content may pause between docking stations.
[0084] Alternatively, the stream of media content from a content
source to the portable electronic device may be paused when the
portable electronic device is not interfaced to either the first or
the second docking stations. This pause may be automatic or
user-initiated.
[0085] Referring now to FIG. 12, a flowchart of another method
(1200) of mobile media presentation is shown. The method (1200) may
be executed by a media content provider in communication with a
portable electronic device.
[0086] The method (1200) includes streaming (step 1201) digital
content to a portable electronic device in a first format, for
example, at a first resolution. An indication is then received
(step 1203) that the format should be changed to a different
format, for example, at a second resolution. This is triggered by
the electronic device being interfaced with a docking station and
the determination that the host device requires a different format.
The docking station may be configured to receive media content
streamed from the portable electronic device and transmit the media
content to a media presentation host device.
[0087] The indication may be in the form of digital data
transmitted from the portable electronic device back to the media
content provider. The indication may include data specifying a type
of host device in communication with the docking station and the
appropriate format for a media content signal to be played back by
that host device.
[0088] Once the indication has been received (step 1203) that a
second format is needed, i.e. the electronic device has been
interfaced with the docking station, digital content is streamed
(step 1205) to the portable electronic device in a second format
corresponding to the needs of the indicated host device. For
example, the first format may be a resolution used to display the
media content on the portable electronic device, and the second
format may be the resolution used to display the media content on
the host device.
[0089] The preceding description has been presented only to
illustrate and describe embodiments and examples of the principles
described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching.
[0090] The process shown in FIGS. 9-12, for example, and described
in this specification may be implemented in a general,
multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will
execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or
machine-level, to perform that process. Those instructions can be
written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the
description of FIGS. 9-12 and stored or transmitted on a computer
readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source
code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer
readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those
instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical
disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable,
volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized wireline or
wireless transmission signals.
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