U.S. patent application number 15/815049 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-29 for enhanced system for content continuation and handoff.
The applicant listed for this patent is Frank C. Wang. Invention is credited to Frank C. Wang.
Application Number | 20180091585 15/815049 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53183613 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180091585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Frank C. |
March 29, 2018 |
ENHANCED SYSTEM FOR CONTENT CONTINUATION AND HANDOFF
Abstract
A content delivery system and method for use with plurality of
digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems
spanning across one or more network environments. The system and
method enable users with freedom of mobility while maintaining
access to the user's selected content while the user transitions
from one device in one location to a different device in a
difference location, substantially without interruption and without
the need for user action to turn on and off these target data
processing systems. The Instant Invention can provide high
bandwidth content delivery solutions based upon hardware and
software components by activating a target device while the system
is proximate to the target device and, in one embodiment,
automatically redirecting the content while the system is proximate
to a new target device without user intervention. The target
devices include digital multimedia data processing systems and
legacy systems including, but not limited to, HDTVs, TV, Personal
Computers, digital music systems, printers, radios, and fax
machines.
Inventors: |
Wang; Frank C.; (Boca Raton,
FL) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wang; Frank C. |
Boca Raton |
FL |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
53183613 |
Appl. No.: |
15/815049 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15162498 |
May 23, 2016 |
9854033 |
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15815049 |
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14598825 |
Jan 16, 2015 |
9350799 |
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15162498 |
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12573106 |
Oct 3, 2009 |
8938497 |
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14598825 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/4084 20130101;
H04L 67/1097 20130101; H04L 67/148 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101;
H01L 29/7869 20130101; G06F 16/13 20190101; H04L 29/0809 20130101;
H04L 65/1073 20130101; H04L 67/18 20130101; H04L 67/10 20130101;
H04L 67/38 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08; H01L 29/786 20060101 H01L029/786; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06 |
Claims
1. A data processing apparatus, comprising: a processor, a storage
device, an output unit, and a proximity detection circuit, which
are collectively coupled for communicating content with a target
device; the storage device is coupled to the processor, and for
storing at least: a content, at least some of the content is stored
in a buffer for communicating content to the target device; and
target device characteristics, including a characteristic of the
target device is registered for communication with the processor;
the proximity detection circuit to detect proximity to the target
device and provide to the processor a target device indication
indicating the proximity of the target device, and to cease
providing the target device indication when the proximity of the
target device is not detected; and the processor causing the
content to be communicated from the storage device to the output
unit and upon receiving the target device indication and a signal
indicating a user's desire to transfer the content to the target
device, the processor suspending the communication of the content
only to the output unit and then transferring at least some of the
content from the buffer to the target device in accordance with the
characteristic of the target device for displaying the content from
the storage device on the target device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal comes from the data
processing apparatus.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal comes from the
target device.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus
is storing some of the content in the buffer while suspending the
communication of the content only to the output unit.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least some of the said
content stored in the buffer is included with the content being
transferred to the target device.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data processing apparatus
is storing some of the content in the buffer while transferring the
content to the target device.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least some of the said
content stored in the buffer is included with the content being
transferred to the target device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device is local
and coupled to the processor via a local bus.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device is remote
and coupled to the processor via a network.
10. A data processing apparatus, comprising: a processor, a storage
device, an output unit, and a proximity detection circuit, which
are collectively coupled for communicating content with a target
device after registration for communication with the processor; the
storage device is coupled to the processor, and for storing at
least: an indication of a content; the proximity detection circuit
to detect proximity to the target device and provide to the
processor a target device indication indicating the proximity of
the target device, and to cease providing the target device
indication when the proximity of the target device is not detected;
and the processor causing the content corresponding to the
indication of the content to be communicated to the output unit and
upon receiving the target device indication and a signal indicating
a user's desire to transfer the content to the target device, the
processor suspending the communication of the content only to the
output unit and then transferring an indication of the content to
the target device for displaying the content on the target
device.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the signal comes from the
data processing apparatus.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the signal comes from the
target device.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage device is local
and coupled to the processor via a local bus.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage device is remote
and coupled to the processor via a network.
15. A data processing apparatus, comprising: a processor, a storage
device, an output unit, and a proximity sensor, which are
collectively coupled for communicating content with a target
device; wherein the storage device is coupled to the processor, and
for storing at least an indication of a content; wherein the
proximity sensor is capable to detect proximity to the target
device and provides to the processor a target device indication
indicating the proximity of the target device, and ceases providing
the target device indication when the proximity of the target
device is not detected; wherein the processor accesses at least
some of the content corresponding to the indication of the content,
and transfers at least some of the content to the output unit for
display; wherein, upon receiving the target device indication of
the target device and receiving a signal indicating a user's desire
to transfer at least some of the content to the target device, the
processor ceases transferring the content only to the output unit
and instead transfers an indication of the content to the target
device for displaying the content on the target device.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the signal comes from the
data processing apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the signal comes from the
target device.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the storage device is local
and coupled to the processor via a local bus.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the storage device is remote
and coupled to the processor via a network.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
[0001] The present patent application is a co-pending continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/162,498 filed May 23, 2016
by the inventor Frank C. Wang and entitled "System for Content
Continuation and Handoff" (a patent which is sometimes called the
"Handoff Patent").
[0002] The Handoff Patent is a continuation patent application of a
previously-filed (and was, as of its filing, co-pending with) a
previously filed patent application Ser. No. 14/598,825 filed Jan.
16, 2015 by the inventor Frank C. Wang and entitled "Enhanced
Content Continuation System and Method" (a patent which is
sometimes referred to as the "Enhanced Content Continuation
Patent"). The patent application detailed in this paragraph issued
as U.S. Pat. No. 9,350,799 on May 24, 2016.
[0003] The Enhanced Content Continuation Patent is a continuation
patent application of a previously-filed (and was, as of its
filing, co-pending with) a previously-filed patent application
entitled "Content Delivery System and Method Spanning Multiple Data
Processing Systems" filed Oct. 3, 2009 as Ser. No. 12/573,106 by
inventor Frank C. Wang. The patent application detailed in this
paragraph issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,938,497 on Jan. 20, 2015.
[0004] The specifications and drawings of all these patent
documents mentioned in this Cross Reference section are
specifically incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates generally to a content delivery
system and method for enabling a user's freedom of mobility while
maintaining access to "real-time" on-going content without
substantial interruption to the content delivery and without
requiring user intervention; even as the user transitions from one
physical location where the content is accessed from multimedia
data processing system (referred to as target device herein) on one
network environment to the next physical location with different
target device on a different network environment. More
particularly, the present invention improves content delivery
between a smart personal device and a plurality of target devices
while reducing power consumption of the devices; and being able to
pull desirable content from the target devices including but not
limited to contents located on a single network location, on
multiple network locations, and content hosts located over the
internet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
[0006] Technology has brought us the personal computer (PC), HDTV,
Digital personal Multimedia player, Personal Video Recorder, Smart
Phone . . . however in our daily interaction with these analog and
digital target devices we are still limited under the current model
of being tied down to the physical location of each of these
devices, i.e. the content is always accessed by user within
proximate to the given device whereas the contents are either
stored, displayed, or being sourced from the device. The physical
distance limitation restricts a user to sit in front of a PC,
sitting around a TV and PVR to watch a TV content, which severely
limits our freedom of mobility especially when a user may have
multiple TVs and multiple work environments in one location. The
content is delivered to each physical device by plurality of ways
is another limitation in that a HDTV devices can receive contents
from Cable, antenna, satellite dish, USB, Ethernet LAN, Wireless
LAN. Even when devices receive content via a similar source, each
device would need to be interface and programmed individually.
Another limitation is that contents are only accessible on each
physical target device with its own unique user interface or being
able to remote controlled. User has to learn the user interface and
or control buttons of each device to operate from simple turning on
and off to gaining access to the content of a selected device.
Another drawback from the current content accessing model is wasted
energy and bandwidth requirements. With multiple target devices
around a home or office, we have to turn on a device when we desire
to operate or access the contents upon entering its surrounding
location. Frequently we have these devices turned on in multiple
locations so a user can be mobile from one location to another,
using transmission bandwidth for each unit even though a user is no
longer proximate to the device. Another drawback from the current
content accessing model is that the content to be access by the
user are store either within these target devices or close by the
physical device itself i.e. a home entertainment center including a
TV, a DVR, a music system . . . etc. As a result, plurality of
remote control devices might be implemented to provide users with
access to content and operations with all devices located proximate
of each other. We are well aware of the inconvenience of plurality
of remote devices around a given location. The inefficiency in the
current model produces undesirable side effects such as in the case
of leaving the devices turned on, which include wasted electricity,
running up the usage of the devices thus reducing the useful life
and dealing with the heat generated by the devices. In addition,
managing multiple user interfaces and remote controls for each of
the devices is time-consuming and can be frustrating. Another
undesirable side effect is the potential of interference of these
devices on wireless networks amongst each other. One of the
disadvantages from the user's perspective is the inherent
deficiency in the physical range limitation of device centered
sourcing and control, which prohibits the continuity of operations
and content access and delivery when user physically moves from one
location to another.
[0007] Accordingly, the prior art systems for delivering and
accessing content from these target devices have significant
disadvantages and limitations. It would, therefore, be highly
desirable to employ a smart apparatus which can eliminate the
problems of the conventional process and allows users to have
freedom of mobility while accessing the desired contents spanning
multiple target devices without interruption and without requiring
user intervention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A smart personal device is a digital Device which can
discover, register, activate, deliver content and deactivate of a
plurality of target devices including but not limited to HDTV, PVR,
PMP, PC, DVR around a home, office, hotel room, conference center
as described herein. The smart personal device can be embedded
within a digital device including, but not limited to, a smart
phone, a personal computer, a laptop, a netbook, a GPS, a personal
multimedia player, video MP3 player, a portable radio or a tablet
PC.
[0009] The smart personal device is used to first discover multiple
target devices upon identifying one or more target device(s)
located proximate to the smart personal device. The present
invention uses RFID solution for discovering target devices around
one or more physical locations, although it is not limited to a
specific communication technology in the future (i.e. wireless USB,
wi-fi, RF, FM, Cable, etc). Once a target device is discovered and
registration steps are completed, the target device in one
embodiment to be placed in a sleep mode if the target device is not
being used by a user or there is no smart personal device is in
proximate to the target device. Upon the smart personal device
identifying one or more target device located proximate to the
smart personal device and based on the desired state of the smart
personal device, it will automatically wakeup and activate one or
more of the target devices and deliver content to the target device
to meet the need of the user. These include but not limited to
receive and display contents from the Personal Smart Device as in
the case of a HDTV, receive and play contents from the smart
personal device in the case of a digital speaker system, receive
and display contents of an application as in the case of a personal
computer. When the smart personal device is no longer proximate to
the target device, the target device will be deactivated by the
Personal Smart Device and resume its sleep mode.
[0010] The present invention is a system and method which overcomes
the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a
simple and convenient way of allowing a user with freedom of
mobility and to move from one environment to another while
continually accessing his content without interruption.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The aforementioned and other features and objects of the
present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more
apparent; and the invention itself will be best understood by
reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art of location based
digital multimedia target devices including HDTV, music system,
personal computer (PC) for possible use in conjunction with the
system and method of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the exemplary system embodiment
of a smart personal device and target device communication
environment which is used in accordance with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are block diagrams of the exemplary
system embodiment of a smart personal device which is used in
accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the Instant invention
illustrating a selected flow of interaction between a smart
personal device and a target device;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the exemplary system embodiment
of a smart personal device and multiple digital multimedia devices
which are enabled with Direct I/O described in accordance with the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the Instant invention
illustrating one flow of interaction of a smart personal device
transitioning from a first target device in one location to a
second target device in a different location;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the exemplary system embodiment
of a smart personal device and a remote Internet content host which
are enabled with Direct I/O content Pull mode in accordance with
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the Instant invention
illustrating one flow of interaction between a smart personal
device using a PULL mode with remote content host and local
multiple target devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Before describing the preferred embodiment in detail, a
description of some of the terms used herein may assist the reader
to understand the present invention. [0021] DISCOVERY: The smart
personal device enables a user to select a discovery mode from
which the smart personal device will discover target devices which
are capable of being interacted by the smart personal device. The
discovery method currently contemplated comprises, but is not
limited to, using any one or more of the following: RFID, wireless,
powerline, FM, LAN, USB networking communication media. The
preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in the
context of discovering a RFID device which is built within or
associated with each target device while a smart personal device is
located proximate to the target device. During the discovery
process, the smart personal device initiates all its tasks and
performs all functions while target device can be passive and its
main electronics other than the minimal components may be powered
off or in low power sleep mode other than the minimal functions
including but not limited to the RFID and Wake on LAN or Wake on
USB. Once the smart personal device identifies a suitable target
device located proximate to the smart personal device, it will
register the target device and its functional characteristics such
as TV, HDTV, DVR, Music systems in the smart personal device's
configuration table. The smart personal device at its option,
depending on its programming and user and/or system preferences and
requirements may perform a quick test to confirm the target
device's capability even if the target device is in active
operation without disrupting any user action to confirm the target
device's capability. During the quick test, If the target device is
powered off or in a low power sleep state, the smart personal
device can wake up the target device by using an industry standard
method including but not limited to wake on LAN or wake on USB
method. The smart personal device is capable to perform rediscovery
update operation either upon user's selection or perform at a fix
interval to detect if there is any new target device since the last
discovery operation. If a new target device is discovered the smart
personal device will alert the user and enable the user to choose
to ignore or to add the newly discovered target device to the
configuration table. A target device may include a configuration
option for not be discovered or only be discovered and registered
by if the smart personal device meets certain parameters including
but not limited to authorize by user, by device type, by password,
by functionality. [0022] REGISTRATION or REGISTERING: Upon a
successful discovery of a target device, the smart personal device
is capable of registering relevant characteristic of the target
device by storing in the configuration table of the smart personal
device. The relevant characteristic of the target device may
include but not be limited to brand, model, maker, MAC ID, CPU
speed, main memory size, disk storage size and type, network
capability, smart Direct I/O capability, GPS location, input I/O
type, output I/O type. Once registered, the target device is
available to be woken from a low power sleep state and ready to
perform operation upon command including but not limited to receive
and display content or to transfer content to the smart personal
device. The present invention uses the smart personal device to
perform all the necessary discovery and registration tasks
independent of the target device while the target device is passive
or in a low power sleep mode. In an alternative embodiment, the
discovery and registration steps can be easily performed with
active participation by the smart personal device and target
device. In one embodiment of a related invention the target device
performs the role of Discovery and Registration whereby the target
device identifies a smart personal device located proximate to the
target device and performs all operations to discover and register
the smart personal device while the smart personal device is
passive till the target device activates the smart personal device.
[0023] ACTIVATION: Once the smart personal device identifies a
target device located proximate to the smart personal device and
confirms in the configuration table that it is a valid and
registered target device, it will automatically perform a wakeup
commands to the target device without the awareness of the user. In
addition, if the smart personal device is being used by the user to
perform an ongoing live operation including but not limited to a
Windows or MAC or Google application such as word processing,
windows office, playing music, video playback, TV broadcasting
program, internet related operations such as search, news, blogs,
purchase, etc., the smart personal device will command the target
device to instantaneous switch from the low power sleep state to an
active state to perform I/O operations on the target device. The
present invention will enable the target device, if it's already
performing an operation, to automatically perform a split screen if
the target device includes a display unit and has the split screen
capability. One or more target devices may be activated at the same
time within proximate to the smart personal device, i.e. PC and
printer, HDTV and DVR. [0024] DELIVERY CONTENTS: Contents are
delivered from the smart personal device to on e or more target
devices via various means including but not limed to wireless
Ethernet 802.11 G/B/N/A, USB wireless, mobile phone wireless,
powerline, RF, FM etc. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the content is delivered from the smart personal device to the
target device using one of the target device's input unit
controllers. If the target device is a HDTV, the input unit
controller is capable of receiving content from input source
including but not limited to antenna, cable, wireless LAN, RF, FM,
LAN, wireless USB. If HDTV comprises a HDTV Core Media Processor
than its CPU, main memory, output unit controller will be activated
to receive the content from the smart personal device using its
input unit controller, transmit the content to the CPU/main memory
using the I/O BUS. After the CPU process the content, it will
transfer the content to the output unit controller using the I/O
BUS and the output unit controller will display the content on the
target device. In this embodiment, the majority of the digital
logic will be powered to perform the function. [0025] In another
embodiment, whereas the target device comprising smart input I/O
controller and smart output I/O controller, once the target device
is being activated by the smart personal device and properly
configured by the Direct IO manager of the target device, the smart
input I/O unit controller is capable of receiving the content from
the smart personal device and deliver the content directly to the
output I/O unit controller using the I/O BUS independent of the
Core Media Processor and Main Memory. In addition, in this
embodiment of Direct I/O method, the Core Media Processor and Main
Memory can be turned off or to be in a low power sleep mode thus
significantly reducing power required for the operation. This
Direct I/O method may be enabled in devices including but not
limited to HDTV, Music systems, Personal Computers or target device
comprising at least one smart Input unit controller, one smart
storage unit controller and one smart output unit controller.
[0026] In another embodiment, when the smart personal device is
leaving one target device and arriving at a different target
device, the smart personal device upon detection of it is no longer
proximate to the first target device it will automatically store
the content in a temporary buffer or storage unit and suspend the
content delivery to the target device by marking or bookmarking the
current position using the intelligence on the smart personal
device unit. Upon identifying a new target device or back to the
original target device located proximate to the smart personal
device, it will first deliver the content from its temporary buffer
or storage unit therefore there is no interruption or loss of the
content while the user is transitioning from one target device
location to the next by resuming the content delivery from the
previously marked or bookmarked position. [0027] The present
invention describes content delivery from the smart personal device
to a first HDTV target device and redirect the content to a second
HDTV target device whereby the target device located proximate to
the smart personal device. In another embedment of the present
invention the smart personal device is receiving a live digital FM
broadcasting contents while delivering the FM broadcasting contents
to a digital speaker system (Target device #1) in a home location
on network #1. When the user is leaving the above described home
location and entering in a second location i.e. an automobile with
a digital speaker system, the smart personal device will first
deactivate the first target device on network #1 when the first
target device is no longer proximate to the smart personal Device
(the first time), automatically start storing or recording the
content from the FM broadcasting on its storage unit. Upon
identifying the digital speaker system (Target device #2) in the
automobile on network #2 located proximate to the smart personal
device (the second time), it will activate the target device #2 and
resume the content delivery from the previous stored content while
continuing storing or recording the current FM broadcasting
content. In the above embodiment, the network #1 whereas the smart
personal device and the target device communicate by means may
include but not limited to a wireless Ethernet network. However the
network #2 is a different network from the network #1 whereas the
smart personal device and target device #2 communicate by means may
include but not limited to a Bluetooth network. [0028] In yet
another embodiment, the smart personal device upon user's selection
is capable of waking up one of more target devices from the low
power sleep state and performs content search operation of its
neighboring target devices which has been enabled for such actions.
Once the matching criteria is found, the smart personal device will
"pull" such content from its neighboring target devices and store
on the local storage of the smart personal device without
interrupting its current operation of either device. The transfer
of the content can be performed using the CPU, memory and the I/O
BUS of the neighboring target devices, or if the neighboring target
device comprises smart I/O controllers, the transfer of content can
optionally be performed using a Direct I/O method of transferring
content from the smart storage unit I/O controller to the smart
network unit I/O controller independent of the target device's CPU
and memory. i.e. under the program control of its Direct I/O
Manager, content is transferred from the smart storage unit I/O
controller to the network unit I/O controller using the I/O BUS
independent of its CPU and main memory. Then the network unit I/O
controller transfers the content to the storage unit I/O controller
of the smart personal device. The smart personal device with the
smart I/O controller have the option to directly transfer the
content from its smart network unit I/O controller to the smart
storage I/O unit controller independent of its CPU and main memory
operate effective under control of the Direct I/O Manager. The
Direct I/O method improves the speed performance and reduces power
consumption of the device since the CPU and main memory are not
active during the content transfer operation. Upon completion, the
smart personal device will alert the user that such contents are
ready for display at user's convenience. [0029] In yet another
embodiment, the present invention may, upon its user's command,
using "pull" method amongst neighboring target devices as well as
content host target devices across the internet; instead of having
contents, such as web advertisements, being "pushed" onto the smart
personal device without the consent of the user, the smart personal
device will operate effectively to block all non-authorized
intrusive contents from displaying on the smart personal device or
target devices without the consent of the user; instead it offers
user an option to specify a desire content criteria for the smart
personal device to perform search directly, or indirectly through
another intermediary web based service on user's specified
criteria. Once the relevant criteria are found, a matched content
list will be generated by the smart personal device to enable the
user to review the list at one's convenience. If the user elects to
view one or more (or all) of the match content from the list, the
smart personal device is operable effective to PULL the selected
content from the storage area of the various content hosts, which
may be over the Internet or target device in its LAN environment.
After the completion of the PULL steps, content such as web
advertisement is stored onto the storage I/O unit controller of the
smart personal device for display at user's convenience. The
present invention using "pull content" method for web
advertisements over internet as an example, such invention may
apply to a variety of contents over the Internet including but not
limited to pull relevant books content, relevant news content,
relevant sales contents, relevant advertisement promotion through
the use of banners, widgets, etc. and user-specified web target
services and information sources including but not limited to
google.com, facebook.com, youtube.com, amazon.com, uspto.gov, etc.
[0030] DEACTIVATION: When the smart personal device is no longer
proximate to the target device, the target device will
automatically be deactivated by the smart personal device in the
present invention so the underlining data processing logic
including but not limited to the media CPU, main memory, input and
output controllers and associated input and output devices and
resume in a low power sleep state. Once the target device enters in
the low power sleep state the only function running under the low
power sleep state is the activation detection logic comprising, but
not limited to, RFID, proximity sensor, wake on LAN, and wake on
USB units. In one embodiment of a related invention, the target
device performs the role of deactivation whereby the target device
identifies a smart personal device is no longer located proximate
to the target device and performs all operations to deactivate the
underlining data processing logic including but not limited to the
media CPU, main memory, input and output controllers and associated
input and output devices and resume in a low power sleep state.
[0031] Having provided a description of some of the relevant terms
used in this description, the remaining portion of this section
will describe the illustrations of the present invention.
[0032] A typical, well-known, system includes one or more target
devices which comprising a plurality of digital multimedia data
processing systems within a home environment as a prior art of the
present invention that can be used are illustrated diagrammatically
in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates multiple target devices in different
locations and each target device may deliver unique, different
content and employ a different user interface to a user. The FIG. 1
comprises a HDTV 1 target device which is located in room 1 block
102, within block 102 comprises HDTV home target device1 is a HDTV
where it is physically located in location 1. The HDTV target
device1 block 102 comprises a HDTV Core Media Processor unit (CPU)
104, main memory unit 106, input unit controller 110, output unit
I/O controller and an I/O bus 108 connected to each unit 104, 106,
110, and 112. The HDTV target device1, 120 comprises a HDTV Core
Media Processor unit (CPU) 124, main memory unit 126, input unit
controller 125, output unit I/O controller 129, storage unit I/O
controller 127 and an I/O bus 128 which connects by each unit 124,
126, 125, 127 and 129. The Music System target device3 130
comprises an Audio Signal Processor unit (CPU) 134, main memory
unit 132, input unit controller 135, output unit I/O controller
137, and an I/O bus 138 which connects by each unit 134, 136, 135,
and 139. The Personal Computer target device4 140 comprises a
Central Processor unit (CPU) 144, main memory unit 146, input unit
controller 145, storage unit I/O controller 147, output unit I/O
controller 149 and an I/O bus 148 which connects by each unit 144,
146, 145, 147 and 149. The input unit controller 110, 125, 135, 145
are capable of receiving signal which comprise the contents from
one or more signal sources but not limited TV antenna, wireless
Local Area Network (LAN). Each target device receive contents from
the input unit controller, deliver the content to the output unit
I/O controller using the I/O bus or at its option with or without
the user's option to store the content in its storage unit I/O
controller for later delivery. One common characteristic for all
target devices in FIG. 1 is that all contents are received and
delivered locally or stored locally at or near the physical
presence of the target device for later access by the user on the
target device apparatus. This restrict a user to access of all or
any of the contents within certain fixed physical distance
limitation of the target device FIG. 2 is an exemplary system
embodiment of a smart personal device 240 being used in conjunction
with a plurality of target devices in the present invention.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 a smart personal
device 240 is connected with a HDTV with DVR target device in
location 5, 200 and a Personal Computer target device in location
6, block 220 whereas as device 200, 220 and 240 are attached to a
network 252. Network 252 in the exemplary system embodiment may
include but not limited to a wireless 802.11 ABGN communication
network which conforms to a standard communications protocol such
as 802.11a, b, g or n, a USB, a RF communication system, an
infrared, a Bluetooth, or a powerline-based communication network.
The target device in location 5, 200 includes a central processing
unit (CPU) 202, main memory 204, network unit I/O controller 207,
storage unit I/O controller 208, output unit I/O controller 209,
all of which are interconnected with I/O bus 206. The target device
200 also includes a RFID component 201 which enables the smart
personal device 204 to perform the discover y, and register steps
described above. The remaining functional components 202, 204, 206,
207, 208, and 209 work in conjunction with the smart personal
device 240 to perform the steps of activation, content delivery,
deactivation and content pull mode as shown with FIGS. 4, 6, and 8.
Within the target device in location 6, 220, the central processing
unit (CPU) 222, main memory 224, network unit I/O controller 227,
storage unit I/O controller 228, output unit I/O controller 229 are
interconnect with I/O bus 226 and a RFID component 221 which
enables the smart personal device 204 to discover y and register
steps of device 220. The remaining functional components 222, 224,
226, 227, 228, and 229 work in conjunction with the smart personal
device 240 to perform the steps of activation, content delivery,
deactivation and content pull mode as shown with FIG. 4, 6.
[0034] FIG. 3A is an exemplary system embodiment of a smart
personal device to be used in conjunction with a plurality of
target devices in the present invention. In the illustrated
embodiment 3A comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 302, main
memory 304, network unit I/O controller 306, storage unit I/O
controller 312, output unit I/O controller 308 and each units are
interconnected with I/O bus 310. The main memory 304 may comprises
a dynamic RAM whereas the storage unit I/O controller may comprises
non-volatile storage including but not limited to IDE, SCSI, SATA,
NAND, SD storage types.
[0035] FIG. 3B contains the same components 302, 304, 310 as
discussed in FIG. 3A with the addition of a Direct I/O manger 360
and smart network unit I/O controller 350 and smart storage unit
I/O controller 352 and smart output unit I/O controller 308. Duo to
the high definition and high data rate requirements of these smart
personal device, the I/O units 350, 352, 358 in FIG. 3B of the
present invention may including busmaster capability which is an
industry standard implementation for an I/O device to request and
to take control as the master of an I/O bus to provide at least
certain address, control and data signals to direct transfer
content between the main memory 304 and respective I/O units,
independent of the CPU 302 effective under program control using
the I/O bus 310; In the event of transferring bulk content i.e. a
digital movie, the smart personal device in FIG. 3B may invoke a
Direct I/O transfer mode wherein effective under program control of
the Direct I/O Manager 560 to transferring content directly between
a pair of said I/O units via said I/O bus as show in 360a and 360b,
bypassing the main memory an independent of the CPU. The Direct I/O
Manager 560 is operable to enable the Direct I/O Mode under program
control for a target device improves not only the content transfer
speed of the target device but also reduces the power consumption
of the CPU and Memory since these units area bypassed and inactive
during the duration of content transfer. FIG. 3B upon set up by the
direct I/O manager 360 under program control is operable to
directly one of more direct transfer path across the I/O bus 310
and delivery bulk contents from the smart network unit I/O
controller to the smart storage unit I/O controller by only
transfer the content across once as shown with data path 360a using
the I/O bus 310. The Direct I/O manager is capable of
simultaneously enabling one or more such direct I/O operation pair
across the I/O bus 310 as shown with data path 360b wherein upon
program control of direct I/O manager 360, the smart storage unit
I/O controller is capable of transferring bulk data to smart output
unit I/O controller once across the I/O bus 310, independent of the
CPU 302 and main memory 304. The direct I/O does not increase
content delivery data rate but more significantly, by bypassing the
CPU 302 and memory 304 while performing the bulk data transfer, it
significantly reduces the power consumption of the target
device.
[0036] With reference additionally now to FIG. 4, a logic flowchart
representing a system and method for performing by the smart
personal device to discovery, registration, activation, content
delivery, and deactivation of a target device. Upon enablement by a
user, the smart personal device start the discovery step as shown
in block 405 whereas the smart personal device scans all available
devices, and control devices i.e. cable modems, DSL router, Cable
modem, DHCP configuration to determine past and current devices and
any available configurations existed on networks. The smart
personal device is then required to scan any current target devices
from one location to another by physically moving the smart
personal device from one location to another so the smart personal
device identifies one or more target devices located proximate to
the smart personal device uses its proximity sending device
including but not limited to the RFID sensor.
[0037] Once the discovery steps are completed, the smart personal
device as shown in block 410 will register all discovered target
devices, including one or more discovered target devices which
cannot be enabled for the instant invention and one or more
discovered target devices which are capable of performing at least
one function of the Instant invention. After the steps of block
410, the smart personal device enters in a state to identify a
Registered target device Located Proximate to the smart personal
device as show in block 415. As shown in block 420 whereby the
smart personal device identifies a registered target device and
based on the user's desire to transfer content to such target
device. The smart personal device proceed to perform Activation
steps by remotely waking up the target device if the target devices
in a low power sleep state or remotely configure the target device
to have a split screen mode if the target device is currently being
used by another user and if the target device is capable to such
split screen operation.
[0038] After block 420, the smart personal device and the target
device are operable in the content delivery mode as shown by block
430 while the smart personal device is proximate to the target
device. The contents can be sourced from the smart personal device
for the target device to receive and display or to receive and
store, or to receive and store and display on its output unit. In a
reverse direction whereas the content is sourced from the target
device for the smart personal device to receive and either display
or store in its storage unit or both.
[0039] If and when the smart personal device and the target device
which is capable of performing the direct I/O mode under the
program control of its Direct I/O manager as shown by block 460 to
enhance bulk content transfer by transferring the content once
across its I/O bus independent of its CPU and memory with the added
benefit of increased bulk content data rate while reducing power
consumption of the device, Block 460 will enable the direct I/O to
perform such operation.
[0040] At the completion of the content delivery steps and if the
smart personal device has no further usage of the target device,
the smart personal device will deactivate the target device as
shown in block 480. Upon completion of block 480, the smart
personal device will return to Block 415 ready state for further
required operation from the user. In the event of the smart
personal device is no longer located proximate of the target device
while operating under the steps of FIG. 4, the smart personal
device will deactivate the current target device as shown in block
480 and operating under the logic flowchart representing a system
and method steps presented in FIG. 6 below.
[0041] FIG. 5 is an exemplary system embodiment of a smart personal
device 540, a HDTV with PVR target device in location 3 as show
block 500 and a Personal Computer target device in Location 4 as
shown in bock 520; and each device is connected with a
communication network block 522. The smart personal device 540
which has all the capability of the smart personal device 240 as
shown in FIG. 2 with additional Direct I/O Mode capability which
effective operates under program control of Direct I/O Manager
block 546 to direct transfer content from block 547 and block 548
across only once using the I/O bus 546 independent of the CPU block
542 and main memory 544. Due to the high definition and high data
rate requirements of these smart personal device, the I/O units
572, 548, and 549 in block 540 of the present invention may include
busmaster capability to directly transfer content between the main
memory 544 and respective I/O units, independent of the CPU 542
effective under program control using the I/O bus 546; In the event
of transferring bulk content i.e. a digital movie, the smart
personal device block 540 may invoke a Direct I/O transfer mode
wherein effective under program control of the Direct I/O Manager
546 to transferring content directly between a pair of said I/O
units via said I/O bus as show in 560b, bypassing the main memory
an independent of the CPU. Using the Direct I/O Mode for a target
device improves not only the content transfer speed of the target
device but also reduces the power consumption of the CPU and Memory
since these units area bypassed and inactive during the duration of
content transfer. The Personal Computer target device in Location 4
as shown in bock 520 which is similar to the target device in block
240 in FIG. 2 with the additional Direct I/O Mode capability which
effective operates under program control of Direct I/O Manager
block 546 to direct transfer content from block 547 and block 548
across only once using the I/O bus 526 independent of the CPU block
522 and main memory 524. target device 520 of the present invention
is operable to meet the high definition and high data rate
requirements as its I/O units 572, 528, and 529 in location 4 may
including busmaster capability to direct transfer content between
the main memory 424 and respective I/O units, independent of the
CPU 522 effective under program control using the I/O bus 526; In
the event of transferring bulk content i.e. a digital movie, the
target device in location 4 block 520 may invoke a Direct I/O
transfer mode wherein effective under program control of the Direct
I/O Manager 526 to transferring content directly between a pair of
said I/O units via said I/O bus as show in 560a, bypassing the main
memory an independent of the CPU. Using the Direct I/O Mode for a
target device improves not only the content transfer speed of the
target device but also reduces the power consumption of the CPU and
Memory since these units area bypassed and inactive during the
duration of content transfer.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the Instant invention
illustrating one flow of interaction of a smart personal device
transitioning from a first target device in one location to a
second target device in a different location. As shown by block 600
of FIG. 6 and the smart personal device is delivering content to a
target device and it detects that the smart personal device is no
longer proximate to the registered target device as shown by Block
630, The smart personal device may automatically enters a
Transparent Cache Mode whereby the smart personal device stores the
ongoing live content in its local storage including but not limited
to IDE, ATA, SATA hard disk drive media or USB, NAND, FLASH mass
storage device or remotely to a storage medium remote from the
smart personal device such as on the network or a removable storage
area as shown by block 635 without user intervention. This
Transparent Cache Mode will continue as show by block 640 till the
smart personal device identifies another registered target device
located proximate to the smart personal device with similar content
delivery capability of the previous target device or the prior
target device itself as shown by block 640. At such time, the smart
personal device will automatically without user intervention to
activate the new target device as shown by block 645 followed by
delivering content from stored storage from the beginning of the
stored content under the Transparent Cache Mode as shown in block
650 while the new target device is located proximate to the smart
personal device till it reaches the end of the stored content of
the Transparent Cache Mode cache content. The smart personal device
of the present invention under the block 650 may simultaneously
deliver cached content to the new target device and continually
storing content under the Transparent Cache Mode as long as there
is stored content of the Transparent Cache Mode which is not yet
delivered to the target device. As shown in block 655, If the smart
personal device detects either the target device or the smart
personal device or both are Direct I/O capable device, it will
under program control to activate the Direct I/O manager to enabled
the Direct I/O delivery mode for these devices.
[0043] An exemplified system and method of the present invention
illustrates the steps of the FIG. 6 including but not limited to a
user moving around from room #1 to room #2. While the smart
personal device identifies a first registered target device located
proximate to the smart personal device at a first time and delivers
content to a HDTV target device#1 in room #1 while the smart
personal device is proximate to the target device#1. When the smart
personal device is no longer proximate to the target device#1 at
the second time, the smart personal device suspends the delivery to
the target device#land marks the content is not delivered including
but not limited to save the current location of the content or
place a bookmark to indicate what content has been delivered and
what content has yet to be delivered. When the smart personal
device identifies a second registered target device (a Personal
Computer #2 of room #2) located proximate to the smart personal
device at a second time, the smart personal device activates the
new target device and resumes delivering the remaining content or
previously marked content starting from the bookmark location while
the smart personal device is proximate to the new target device.
Another embodiment of the present invention illustrates the steps
of the FIG. 6 including but not limited to a user listens to the
content of a Digital Music System (Target device #3) in one's home
whereby the target Device#3 is a registered target device of the
smart personal device and is located proximate to the smart
personal device whereby content was provided by a FM digital
content provider and being received by smart personal device
without the need to store the content on the storage area of the
smart personal device and delivered to the target device#3 while
the smart personal device is proximate to the target device#3. The
user leaves the home location and enter in user's automobile which
has a registered digital speaker system (Target device#4) with the
smart personal device and such that the new target device#4 has
similar capability of receiving the content as of the target
device#3. While the user is leaving his home and entering the
automobile, the smart personal device in the present invention has
identified that the target device#3 is no longer proximate to the
smart personal device, it deactivates the target device#3 and
entered the Transparent Cache Mode without user action and stores
FM broadcasting content at the time. At a later time when the smart
personal device identifies the target devices #4 located proximate
to the smart personal device, it automatically activate the speaker
system in the automobile without user action and deliver the stored
content to the target device#4 without interruption to the FM
broadcasting content.
[0044] With the presence of Internet content host and web based
retailers such as ebay.com and amazon.com, there is a prolific
presence of web based advertisement, in the forms of banners,
widgets, whereby advertisement campaign pushes these contents to
device and being displayed on a specific area of the output devices
i.e. CRT, LCD, HDTV of a device including but not limited to a
smart phone, a personal computer while a user accessing contents
from the Internet without consent of the user. Some of these
advertisement contents may be interesting to a user however the
majority of these web based advertisement are disruptive and each
takes away productive time and processing resources away from the
user. The present invention overcomes these pushed intrusions by
enabling the user to specify a finite set of criteria for the Smart
Device to first search relevant content hosts over the Internet
directly or using an intermediary web services to do so. Once a
desirable content is found, the smart personal device will build a
match content list and store the match content list on the smart
personal device for the user to access at one's convenience. Once a
content within the matched list is selected by the user, the smart
personal device will be operated to "pull" these selected content
from the content hosts and store the matched content on the storage
unit of the smart personal device for the user to access it at
user's convenience either directly on the smart personal device or
access these contents on one or more of the target devices. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the stored content will be
displayed only on the target location of the output display device
as if the content is being pushed by the advertisement campaign. In
another embodiment of the present invention, the matched content is
being reorganized by the smart personal device so the user can
access them without the restriction being shown at the original
target location. An exemplified system and method of the present
invention illustrates in FIG. 7 including a smart personal device
block 790 comprising a CPU 782, Main Memory 784, smart network unit
I/O controller 786, smart storage unit I/O controller, output unit
I/O controller 789 and each is connected by the I/O bus 788; The
smart personal device 790 is further connected to Internet block
780 using including but not limited to a wi-fi network or an
Internet service provider's data network including but not limited
to dial-up, DSL, Broadband wireless access, cable internet, ISDN
while accessing Internet content hosts including but not limited to
block 720, 740, 760 and service providers.
[0045] With reference additionally now to FIG. 8, a logic flowchart
representing a system and method for performing the Pull Mode by
the smart personal device. Upon enablement by a user as shown on
block 830, the smart personal device start to scan Internet content
host which is remotely located over the Internet and local target
device for contents which matches the selection criteria i.e. sales
on a specific automobile, specific tools, travel discounts to a
specific destination . . . etc. Once one of more matches are found,
the smart personal device builds a Match Content List as shown on
block 835 and "pull" the match content and store the content on a
storage area of its local storage unit or store the content on a
removable and network storage which can be accessed by the smart
personal device Block 840. If the smart personal device is enabled
with the Direct I/O Delivery Mode, Block 850, the smart personal
device will under program control to activate the Direct I/O
manager 785 to enabled the Direct I/O delivery mode for pulling
these match content from block 786 to block 788 across the I/O Bus
728 only once as shown by block 560a independent of the CPU 782 and
main memory 784.
[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present
invention has been described in illustrative form only and that
many modifications are possible without departing from the spirit
of the resent invention. For example, smart personal device of the
present invention is a hardware and software components which
includes integrated or embedded with a portable device including
but not limited to a smart phone, a personal computer, a laptop, a
netbook, a GPS, a personal multimedia player, video MP3 player, a
portable radio or a tablet PC. A smart personal device can as well
be a standalone, special purpose device which comprises one or more
of the features described in the above paragraphs either alone or
in a combination of other features. Additionally, features include
advertisement sifting system and method for matched content,
turning off power for these target device no longer in proximate of
the smart personal device are invention which can either alone or
in a combination of other features. Those skilled in the art will
also appreciate that some of the features described can be employed
to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. For
example, the use of RFID is desirable for discovering a target
device, though not required if the smart personal device is
equipped with the use of a pattern recognition feature, or an
optical component, or a bar code component either alone or in
combination with the use of the RFID component to discover a target
device. It will be understood that the present invention is
described in connection with various systems such as communications
protocols which are in use today, but the present invention is not
restricted to the presently-used communications protocols. Also,
many additional features can be added to the present invention
including but not limited to a usage timer which meters either the
time used on the smart device by the user, or the network bandwidth
used for delivering content, a storage used to store the content .
. . etc. In addition, actions taken when the smart personal device
located proximate to the target device can include or replace with
a location specific feature such a GPS. Accordingly, the foregoing
description should be considered as merely a description of the
present invention and not in limitation of it, as the scope of the
present invention is defined by the claims which follow.
* * * * *