U.S. patent application number 16/794461 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-11 for media player with integrated wireless video link capability & method and system for implementing video tuning and wireless video.
This patent application is currently assigned to CenturyLInk Intellectual Property LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is CenturyLInk Intellectual Property LLC. Invention is credited to Zubin Ingah, Michael D. Sprenger.
Application Number | 20200186874 16/794461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62489932 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200186874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sprenger; Michael D. ; et
al. |
June 11, 2020 |
MEDIA PLAYER WITH INTEGRATED WIRELESS VIDEO LINK CAPABILITY &
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING VIDEO TUNING AND WIRELESS VIDEO
COMMUNICATION
Abstract
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing media
content streaming or playback, and, more particularly, for
implementing video tuning and wireless video communication. In
various embodiments, a media player, which might include an
integrated wireless video link system, might receive an encoded
video signal from a media content source(s) (and/or a corresponding
database(s). The media player might decode the received video
signal, might establish a wireless communications link between the
media player and one or more display devices via the integrated
wireless video link system, and might send the decoded video signal
to the one or more display devices (and/or one or more user
devices) via the wireless communications link established by the
integrated wireless video link system. In some cases, the media
player might perform one or more of these processed in response to
user input received via the user devices or via the media player's
user interface(s).
Inventors: |
Sprenger; Michael D.;
(Boulder, CO) ; Ingah; Zubin; (Centennial,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CenturyLInk Intellectual Property LLC |
Broomfield |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CenturyLInk Intellectual Property
LLC
Broomfield
CO
|
Family ID: |
62489932 |
Appl. No.: |
16/794461 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15785211 |
Oct 16, 2017 |
10575048 |
|
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16794461 |
|
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62431982 |
Dec 9, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42203 20130101;
H04N 21/4263 20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101; H04N 21/4222
20130101; H04N 21/4367 20130101; H04W 76/10 20180201; H04N 21/43637
20130101; H04N 21/4122 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/4363 20060101
H04N021/4363; H04N 21/426 20060101 H04N021/426; H04N 21/422
20060101 H04N021/422; H04N 21/436 20060101 H04N021/436; H04N
21/4367 20060101 H04N021/4367; H04W 76/10 20060101 H04W076/10; H04N
21/41 20060101 H04N021/41 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving, with a media player comprising
an integrated wireless video link system, an encoded video signal
from a media content source; decoding, with the media player, the
received video signal; establishing, with the media player, a
wireless communications link between the media player and one or
more display devices via the integrated wireless video link system;
and sending, with the media player, the decoded video signal to the
one or more display devices via the wireless communications link
established by the integrated wireless video link system.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the decoded video signal
to the one or more display devices via the wireless communications
link established by the integrated wireless video link system
comprises sending, with the media player, the decoded video signal
to the one or more display devices, via the wireless communications
link established by the integrated wireless video link system,
using a wireless video link protocol comprising at least one of
WirelessHD protocol, Wireless Home Digital Interface ("WHDI")
protocol, or Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig") protocol.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a wireless
communications link between the media player and one or more
display devices via the integrated wireless video link system
comprises establishing, with the media player, a secure wireless
communications link between the media player and one or more
display devices via the integrated wireless video link system, the
secure wireless communications link allowing only the one or more
display devices to receive the decoded video signal.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the media player comprises one of
a set-top box ("STB"), a digital video recording ("DVR") device, a
user device, a server computer over a network, a cloud-based
computing system over a network, or a gaming console.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more display devices
each comprises one of a television set, a smart television, a video
projection system, a computer monitor, or a laptop monitor.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, with the
media player, user input from a user.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of decoding the
received video signal, establishing the wireless communications
link between the media player and the one or more display devices
via the integrated wireless video link system, or sending the
decoded video signal to the one or more display devices via the
wireless communications link is performed in response to receiving
the user input.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the user input comprises at least
one of voice input via a voice interface device, remote control
input via a remote controller, or user interface input via a user
interface device that is integrated in the media player.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the user input is received from a
user device comprising one of a laptop computer, a tablet computer,
a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a
remote control device, or a portable gaming device.
10. A media player, comprising: an integrated wireless video link
system; at least one processor; and a non-transitory computer
readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one
processor, the non-transitory computer readable medium having
stored thereon computer software comprising a set of instructions
that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the media
player to: receive, with the integrated wireless video link system,
an encoded video signal from a media content source; decode the
received video signal; establish a wireless communications link
between the media player and one or more display devices via the
integrated wireless video link system; and send the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system.
11. The media player of claim 10, wherein sending the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system comprises sending the decoded video signal to the one
or more display devices, via the wireless communications link
established by the integrated wireless video link system, using a
wireless video link protocol comprising at least one of WirelessHD
protocol, Wireless Home Digital Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or
Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig") protocol.
12. The media player of claim 10, wherein the media player
comprises one of a set-top box, a digital video recording ("DVR")
device, a user device, a server computer over a network, a
cloud-based computing system over a network, or a gaming
console.
13. The media player of claim 10, wherein the one or more display
devices each comprises one of a television set, a smart television,
a video projection system, a computer monitor, or a laptop
monitor.
14. The media player of claim 10, further comprising a user
interface device, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by
the at least one processor, further causes the media player to:
receive, with the user interface device, user input from a
user.
15. The media player of claim 14, wherein at least one of decoding
the received video signal, establishing the wireless communications
link between the media player and the one or more display devices
via the integrated wireless video link system, or sending the
decoded video signal to the one or more display devices via the
wireless communications link is performed in response to receiving
the user input.
16. The media player of claim 14, wherein the user input comprises
at least one of voice input via a voice interface device, remote
control input via a remote controller, or user interface input via
the user interface device that is integrated in the media
player.
17. The media player of claim 14, wherein the user input is
received by the user interface device from a user device comprising
one of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a
mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a remote control
device, or a portable gaming device.
18. A system, comprising: a media player, comprising: an integrated
wireless video link system; at least one first processor; and a
first non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively
coupled to the at least one first processor, the first
non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
computer software comprising a first set of instructions that, when
executed by the at least one first processor, causes the media
player to: receive, with the integrated wireless video link system,
an encoded video signal from a media content source; decode the
received video signal; establish a wireless communications link
between the media player and one or more display devices via the
integrated wireless video link system; and send the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system; and the one or more display devices, each comprising:
a first wireless communications system; one or more display
screens; at least one second processor; and a second non-transitory
computer readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least
one second processor, the second non-transitory computer readable
medium having stored thereon computer software comprising a second
set of instructions that, when executed by the at least one second
processor, causes the display device to: receive, via the first
wireless communications system, the decoded video signal sent from
the media player; and display, on the one or more display screens,
the received and decoded video signal.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the media player comprises one
of a set-top box, a digital video recording ("DVR") device, a user
device, a server computer over a network, a cloud-based computing
system over a network, or a gaming console.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more display devices
each comprises one of a television set, a smart television, a video
projection system, a computer monitor, or a laptop monitor.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein the media player further
comprises a first user interface device, wherein the set of
instructions, when executed by the at least one first processor,
further causes the media player to: receive, with the first user
interface device, user input from a user.
22. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a user device,
comprising: a second wireless communications system; a second user
interface device; at least one third processor; and a third
non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to
the at least one third processor, the third non-transitory computer
readable medium having stored thereon computer software comprising
a third set of instructions that, when executed by the at least one
third processor, causes the user device to: receive, via the second
user interface device, user input from a user; generate one or more
command instructions based on the received user input; and send,
via the second wireless communications system, the generated one or
more command instructions to the media player.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the user device comprises one
of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile
phone, a personal digital assistant, a remote control device, or a
portable gaming device.
Description
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates, in general, to methods,
systems, and apparatuses for implementing media content streaming
or playback, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and
apparatuses for implementing video tuning and wireless video
communication using a single device in which these functionalities
are integrated.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently, there exist devices that offer wireless video
link technology. Such wireless video link technology may include a
standalone point-to-point link from dedicated wireless video link
device to a television or projector. These, however, require the
player to be connected to the wireless video transmitter, using a
cable such as high definition multimedia interface ("HDMI") devices
or the like. Such devices, however, do not combine wireless video
link technology with audio and/or video media playing capabilities
all integrated within a single device. Alternatively, such wireless
video link technology may include an input switching capability
(various analog & digital audio and/or video protocols)
combined with wireless video link technology. Such devices also do
not combine wireless video link technology with audio and/or video
media playing capabilities all integrated within a single
device.
[0004] Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable
solutions for implementing media content streaming or playback,
and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for
implementing video tuning and wireless video communication using a
single device in which these functionalities are integrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of
particular embodiments may be realized by reference to the
remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which
like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components. In
some instances, a sub-label is associated with a reference numeral
to denote one of multiple similar components. When reference is
made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing
sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar
components.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for
implementing video tuning and wireless video communication using a
single device in which these functionalities are integrated, in
accordance with various embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another system
for implementing video tuning and wireless video communication
using a single device in which these functionalities are
integrated, in accordance with various embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another
system for implementing video tuning and wireless video
communication using a single device in which these functionalities
are integrated, in accordance with various embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
implementing video tuning and wireless video communication using a
single device in which these functionalities are integrated, in
accordance with various embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer
or system hardware architecture, in accordance with various
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system of
computers, computing systems, or system hardware architecture,
which can be used in accordance with various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Overview
[0013] Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for
implementing media content streaming or playback, and, more
particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing
video tuning and wireless video communication using a single device
in which these functionalities are integrated.
[0014] In various embodiments, a media player, which might include
a wireless video link system that is integrated within the media
player, might receive an encoded video signal from a media content
source(s) (and/or a corresponding database(s). The media player
might decode the received video signal, might establish a wireless
communications link between the media player and one or more
display devices via the integrated wireless video link system, and
might send the decoded video signal to the one or more display
devices (and/or one or more user devices) via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system. In some cases, the media player might perform at least
one of the decoding of the video signal, the establishment of the
wireless communications link, and/or the sending of the decoded
video signal in response to user input received via the user
devices or via the media player's user interface(s).
[0015] According to some embodiments, sending the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system might comprise sending the decoded video signal to the
one or more display devices, via the wireless communications link
established by the integrated wireless video link system, using a
wireless video link protocol comprising at least one of WirelessHD
protocol, Wireless Home Digital Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or
Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig") protocol, and/or the like.
[0016] In some embodiments, the media player might receive user
input from a user. In some cases, at least one of decoding the
received video signal, establishing the wireless communications
link between the media player and the one or more display devices
via the integrated wireless video link system, or sending the
decoded video signal to the one or more display devices via the
wireless communications link, and/or the like might be performed in
response to receiving the user input. In some instances, the user
input might include, without limitation, at least one of voice
input via a voice interface device, remote control input via a
remote controller, or user interface input via a user interface
device that is integrated in the media player, and/or the like.
According to some embodiments, the user input might be received
from a user device, which includes, but is not limited to, one of a
laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone,
a personal digital assistant, a remote control device, or a
portable gaming device, and/or the like.
[0017] In sum, the various embodiments provide a media player that
integrates the functionalities of video tuning and wireless video
communication within a single device, the various embodiments
further providing the corresponding method and system. Further
advantages of such an integrated single device include, without
limitation, minimized set-up times for the media player. For
example, a service provider is able to offer services to consumers
both inside and outside its main serving areas, shipping customer
premises equipment ("CPE"; e.g., set-top box, or the like) directly
to a customer and enabling the customer to connect the CPE to his
or her TV(s) without restrictions associated with CPE placement
(e.g., near the TV(s), or in line of sight of the TV(s), etc.). The
customer is also relieved from the tedious task of figuring out how
to connect cables between the CPE and the TV(s), as the wireless
only set-up precludes such steps. Further, technicians need not be
sent out to install the CPE in the customer's home or office
because set-up can be handled wirelessly (and in some cases,
remotely from a central office or the like, if at all
necessary).
[0018] The following detailed description illustrates a few
exemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in
the art to practice such embodiments. The described examples are
provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit
the scope of the invention.
[0019] In the following description, for the purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It
will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that other
embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some
of these specific details. In other instances, certain structures
and devices are shown in block diagram form. Several embodiments
are described herein, and while various features are ascribed to
different embodiments, it should be appreciated that the features
described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with
other embodiments as well. By the same token, however, no single
feature or features of any described embodiment should be
considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, as other
embodiments of the invention may omit such features.
[0020] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to
express quantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be
understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about."
In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural
unless specifically stated otherwise, and use of the terms "and"
and "or" means "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the
use of the term "including," as well as other forms, such as
"includes" and "included," should be considered non-exclusive.
Also, terms such as "element" or "component" encompass both
elements and components comprising one unit and elements and
components that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically
stated otherwise.
[0021] Various embodiments described herein, while embodying (in
some cases) software products, computer-performed methods, and/or
computer systems, represent tangible, concrete improvements to
existing technological areas, including, without limitation, media
content streaming or downloading technology, wireless video
communication technology, and/or the like. In other aspects,
certain embodiments, can improve the functioning of user equipment
or systems themselves (e.g., media players, set-top boxes ("STBs"),
media content streaming or downloading systems, etc.), for example,
by using a single device (in the form of a media player) to receive
an encoded video signal from a media content source, to decode the
received video signal, to establish a wireless communications link
between the media player and one or more display devices via a
wireless video link system that is integrated within the media
player, and to send the decoded video signal to the one or more
display devices via the wireless communications link established by
the integrated wireless video link system, and/or the like. In
particular, to the extent any abstract concepts are present in the
various embodiments, those concepts can be implemented as described
herein by devices, software, systems, and methods that involve
specific novel functionality (e.g., steps or operations), such as,
using a single device (in the form of a media player) to receive an
encoded video signal from a media content source, to decode the
received video signal, to establish a wireless communications link
between the media player and one or more display devices via a
wireless video link system that is integrated within the media
player, and to send the decoded video signal to the one or more
display devices via the wireless communications link established by
the integrated wireless video link system, and/or the like, which
optimizes decoding and presentation of the media content
(particularly video content) thus providing for smoother and more
efficient presentation of video content to the user, and minimizes
setup time for the media player, and/or the like, to name a few
examples, that extend beyond mere conventional computer processing
operations. These functionalities can produce tangible results
outside of the implementing computer system, including, merely by
way of example, optimized decoding and presentation of media
content (particularly, video content) to the user thus providing
for smoother and more efficient presentation of video content to
the user, and minimizes setup time for the media player, and/or the
like, at least some of which may be observed or measured by
customers and/or service providers.
[0022] In an aspect, a method might comprise receiving, with a
media player comprising an integrated wireless video link system,
an encoded video signal from a media content source; decoding, with
the media player, the received video signal; establishing, with the
media player, a wireless communications link between the media
player and one or more display devices via the integrated wireless
video link system; and sending, with the media player, the decoded
video signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system.
[0023] In some embodiments, sending the decoded video signal to the
one or more display devices via the wireless communications link
established by the integrated wireless video link system might
comprise sending, with the media player, the decoded video signal
to the one or more display devices, via the wireless communications
link established by the integrated wireless video link system,
using a wireless video link protocol comprising at least one of
WirelessHD protocol, Wireless Home Digital Interface ("WHDI")
protocol, or Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig") protocol, and/or
the like.
[0024] According to some embodiments, establishing a wireless
communications link between the media player and one or more
display devices via the integrated wireless video link system might
comprise establishing, with the media player, a secure wireless
communications link between the media player and one or more
display devices via the integrated wireless video link system, the
secure wireless communications link allowing only the one or more
display devices to receive the decoded video signal.
[0025] Merely by way of example, in some cases, the media player
comprises one of a set-top box ("STB"), a digital video recording
("DVR") device, a user device, a server computer over a network, a
cloud-based computing system over a network, or a gaming console,
and/or the like. In some instances, the one or more display devices
might each comprise one of a television set, a smart television, a
video projection system, a computer monitor, or a laptop monitor,
and/or the like.
[0026] In some embodiments, the method might further comprise
receiving, with the media player, user input from a user. In some
cases, at least one of decoding the received video signal,
establishing the wireless communications link between the media
player and the one or more display devices via the integrated
wireless video link system, or sending the decoded video signal to
the one or more display devices via the wireless communications
link might be performed in response to receiving the user input.
According to some embodiments, the user input might comprise at
least one of voice input via a voice interface device, remote
control input via a remote controller, or user interface input via
a user interface device that is integrated in the media player,
and/or the like. In some instances, the user input might be
received from a user device comprising one of a laptop computer, a
tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital
assistant, a remote control device, or a portable gaming device,
and/or the like.
[0027] In another aspect, a media player might comprise an
integrated wireless video link system; at least one processor; and
a non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled
to the at least one processor. The non-transitory computer readable
medium might have stored thereon computer software comprising a set
of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor,
causes the media player to: receive, with the integrated wireless
video link system, an encoded video signal from a media content
source; decode the received video signal; establish a wireless
communications link between the media player and one or more
display devices via the integrated wireless video link system; and
send the decoded video signal to the one or more display devices
via the wireless communications link established by the integrated
wireless video link system.
[0028] According to some embodiments, sending the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system might comprise sending the decoded video signal to the
one or more display devices, via the wireless communications link
established by the integrated wireless video link system, using a
wireless video link protocol comprising at least one of WirelessHD
protocol, Wireless Home Digital Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or
Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig") protocol, and/or the like. In
some cases, the media player might comprise one of a set-top box, a
digital video recording ("DVR") device, a user device, a server
computer over a network, a cloud-based computing system over a
network, or a gaming console, and/or the like. In some instances,
the one or more display devices might each comprise one of a
television set, a smart television, a video projection system, a
computer monitor, or a laptop monitor, and/or the like.
[0029] In some embodiments, the media player might further comprise
a user interface device. The set of instructions, when executed by
the at least one processor, might further cause the media player to
receive, with the user interface device, user input from a user. In
some instances, at least one of decoding the received video signal,
establishing the wireless communications link between the media
player and the one or more display devices via the integrated
wireless video link system, or sending the decoded video signal to
the one or more display devices via the wireless communications
link might be performed in response to receiving the user input.
According to some embodiments, the user input might comprise at
least one of voice input via a voice interface device, remote
control input via a remote controller, or user interface input via
the user interface device that is integrated in the media player,
and/or the like. In some cases, the user input might be received by
the user interface device from a user device comprising one of a
laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone,
a personal digital assistant, a remote control device, or a
portable gaming device, and/or the like.
[0030] In yet another aspect, a system might comprise a media
player and one or more display devices. The media player might
comprise an integrated wireless video link system; at least one
first processor; and a first non-transitory computer readable
medium communicatively coupled to the at least one first processor.
The first non-transitory computer readable medium might have stored
thereon computer software comprising a first set of instructions
that, when executed by the at least one first processor, causes the
media player to: receive, with the integrated wireless video link
system, an encoded video signal from a media content source; decode
the received video signal; establish a wireless communications link
between the media player and the one or more display devices via
the integrated wireless video link system; and send the decoded
video signal to the one or more display devices via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system.
[0031] Each of the one or more display devices might comprise a
first wireless communications system; one or more display screens;
at least one second processor; and a second non-transitory computer
readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one second
processor. The second non-transitory computer readable medium might
have stored thereon computer software comprising a second set of
instructions that, when executed by the at least one second
processor, causes the display device to: receive, via the first
wireless communications system, the decoded video signal sent from
the media player; and display, on the one or more display screens,
the received and decoded video signal.
[0032] In some cases, the media player might comprise one of a
set-top box, a digital video recording ("DVR") device, a user
device, a server computer over a network, a cloud-based computing
system over a network, or a gaming console, and/or the like. In
some instances, the one or more display devices might each comprise
one of a television set, a smart television, a video projection
system, a computer monitor, or a laptop monitor, and/or the
like.
[0033] According to some embodiments, the media player might
further comprise a first user interface device. The set of
instructions, when executed by the at least one first processor,
might further cause the media player to receive, with the first
user interface device, user input from a user.
[0034] In some embodiments, the system might comprise a user
device, which might comprise a second wireless communications
system; a second user interface device; at least one third
processor; and a third non-transitory computer readable medium
communicatively coupled to the at least one third processor. The
third non-transitory computer readable medium might have stored
thereon computer software comprising a third set of instructions
that, when executed by the at least one third processor, causes the
user device to: receive, via the second user interface device, user
input from a user; generate one or more command instructions based
on the received user input; and send, via the second wireless
communications system, the generated one or more command
instructions to the media player. In some instances, the user
device might comprise one of a laptop computer, a tablet computer,
a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a
remote control device, or a portable gaming device, and/or the
like.
[0035] Various modifications and additions can be made to the
embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer
to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes
embodiments having different combination of features and
embodiments that do not include all of the above described
features.
[0036] Specific Exemplary Embodiments
[0037] We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the
drawings. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate some of the features of the method,
system, and apparatus for implementing media content streaming or
playback, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and
apparatuses for implementing video tuning and wireless video
communication using a single device in which these functionalities
are integrated, as referred to above. The methods, systems, and
apparatuses illustrated by FIGS. 1-6 refer to examples of different
embodiments that include various components and steps, which can be
considered alternatives or which can be used in conjunction with
one another in the various embodiments. The description of the
illustrated methods, systems, and apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-6 is
provided for purposes of illustration and should not be considered
to limit the scope of the different embodiments.
[0038] With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram
illustrating a system 100 for implementing video tuning and
wireless video communication using a single device in which these
functionalities are integrated, in accordance with various
embodiments.
[0039] In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1, system 100 might
comprise a media player 105, which might comprise an integrated
wireless video link system 105a, and a data store(s) or database(s)
110 that is local to the media player 105. In some cases, the
database(s) 110 might be external, yet communicatively coupled, to
the media player 105. In other cases, the database(s) 110 might be
integrated within the media player 105. System 100, according to
some embodiments, might further comprise one or more display
devices 115 (collectively, "display devices 115" or the like),
which might each include a display screen(s) 115a, and one or more
user devices 120 (collectively, "user devices 120" or the like),
which might each include a user interface device(s) 120a, and/or
the like. In some embodiments, the user interface device(s) 120a
might include, but is not limited to, at least one of a touchscreen
display(s) or touchscreen display device(s), one or more physical
actuators (e.g., buttons, switches, toggles, etc.), one or more
virtual actuators (e.g., touchscreen buttons, switches, toggles,
slide-bars, etc.), one or more voice interface devices, a gesture
interface device(s), a remote control interface device(s), and/or
the like. In some cases, system 100 might further, or optionally,
comprise one or more audio playback devices 125a-125n
(collectively, "audio playback devices 125" or "speakers 125" or
the like), and/or the like.
[0040] The media player 105 might communicatively couple to each of
the one or more display devices 115 and/or the one or more user
devices 120 (and, in some cases, to one or more of the audio
playback devices 125a-125n, or the like) via wireless connection,
via the integrated wireless video link system 105a. Each of the one
or more display devices 115 and/or the one or more user devices 120
might communicatively couple to one or more of the audio playback
devices 125a-125n, and/or to each other, either via wireless
connection and/or via wired connection. The one or more user
devices 120 might each receive user input from a user (in various
embodiments, receiving touch input from the user via a touchscreen
display; in some embodiments, receiving voice input from the user
via a voice interface device; in some instances, receiving gesture
input from the user via a gesture interface device; in some cases,
receiving physical user input from the user via one or more
physical actuators, or the like; according to some embodiments,
receiving remote control input via a remote control interface
device; etc.), and might each relay the user input to the media
player 105, according to some embodiments.
[0041] In some cases, the user devices 120 might include, without
limitation, at least one of a dedicated remote control device (with
touchscreen display and/or other user interface device) that is
associated with the media player 105, a universal remote control
device (with touchscreen display and/or other user interface
device) that has been paired, synced, or synchronized with the
media player 105, a tablet computer that has been paired, synced,
or synchronized with the media player 105, a smart phone that has
been paired, synced, or synchronized with the media player 105, or
other portable device (with touchscreen display and/or other user
interface device) that has been paired, synced, or synchronized
with the media player 105, and/or the like. In some cases, the
media player 105, the database(s) 110, the one or more display
devices 115 (including the display screen(s) 115a and/or the audio
playback device(s) 125, etc.), and the user device(s) 120 may be
disposed within a customer premises 130, which might be one of a
single family house, a multi-dwelling unit ("MDU") within a
multi-dwelling complex (including, but not limited to, an apartment
building, an apartment complex, a condominium complex, a townhouse
complex, a mixed-use building, etc.), a motel, an inn, a hotel, an
office building or complex, a commercial building or complex, an
industrial building or complex, and/or the like.
[0042] In some embodiments, the media player 105 might comprise one
of a processor on the display device running a software application
("app"), a processor on the user device running an app, a media
player, and/or the like. In some cases, the media device might
include, but is not limited to, one of a set-top box ("STB"), a
media player, a gaming console, a server computer, a desktop
computer, or a laptop computer, and/or the like. The media player
might include, without limitation, one of a digital versatile disc
or digital video disc ("DVD") player, a Blu-ray disc ("BD") player,
a digital video recording ("DVR") device, a streaming video player,
a streaming music player, or a streaming game player, and/or the
like, while the one or more display devices 115 might include, but
are not limited to, at least one of one or more monitors (e.g.,
computer monitor or laptop monitor, or the like), one or more
television sets (e.g., smart television sets or other television
sets, or the like), and/or the like. In some cases, the user device
120 might include, without limitation, one of a laptop computer, a
tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital
assistant, a remote control device, or a portable gaming device,
and/or the like.
[0043] System 100 might further comprise one or more media (e.g.,
video, audio, or game) content sources or servers 135 and
corresponding database(s) 140 that might communicatively couple to
the media player 105 via one or more networks 145 (and, in some
cases, via one or more telecommunications relay systems 150, which
might include, without limitation, one or more wireless network
interfaces (e.g., wireless modems, wireless access points, and the
like), one or more towers, one or more satellites, and/or the
like). The lightning bolt symbols are used to denote wireless
communications between the one or more telecommunications relay
systems 150 and the media player 105, between the one or more
telecommunications relay systems 150 and each of at least one of
the user devices 120, between the media player 105 and each of at
least one of the display devices 115, between the media player 105
and each of at least one of the user devices 120, between the
display device 115 and the user devices 120, between the media
player 105 and each of the one or more audio playback devices
125a-125n, between the display device 115 and each of at least one
of the one or more audio playback devices 125a-125n, between the
user devices 120 and each of at least one of the one or more audio
playback devices 125a-125n, and/or the like.
[0044] According to some embodiments, alternative or additional to
the media player 105 and corresponding database(s) 110 being
disposed within customer premises 130, system 100 might comprise
remote computing system 155 and corresponding database(s)(s) 160
that communicatively couple with the one or more display devices
115 and/or with the one or more user devices 120 in the customer
premises via the one or more networks 145 (and in some cases, via
the one or more telecommunications relay systems 150). According to
some embodiments, remote computing system 155 might comprise at
least one of a server computer over a network, a cloud-based
computing system over a network, and/or the like.
[0045] In operation, the media player 105 might receive an encoded
video signal from media content source(s) 135 (and/or the
database(s) 140 via the media content source(s) 135, or the like),
might decode the received video signal, might establish a wireless
communications link between the media player and the one or more
display devices 115 via the integrated wireless video link system
105a, and might send the decoded video signal to the one or more
display devices 115 (and/or one or more user devices 120) via the
wireless communications link established by the integrated wireless
video link system 105a.
[0046] According to some embodiments, sending the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices 115 via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system 105a might comprise sending the decoded video signal to
the one or more display devices 115, via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system 105a, using a wireless video link protocol comprising
at least one of WirelessHD protocol, Wireless Home Digital
Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig")
protocol, and/or the like.
[0047] In some embodiments, the media player 105 might receive user
input from a user. In some cases, at least one of decoding the
received video signal, establishing the wireless communications
link between the media player 105 and the one or more display
devices 115 via the integrated wireless video link system 105a, or
sending the decoded video signal to the one or more display devices
115 via the wireless communications link, and/or the like might be
performed in response to receiving the user input. In some
instances, the user input might include, without limitation, at
least one of voice input via a voice interface device, remote
control input via a remote controller, or user interface input via
a user interface device that is integrated in the media player,
and/or the like. According to some embodiments, the user input
might be received from a user device 120, which includes, but is
not limited to, one of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a
smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a remote
control device, or a portable gaming device, and/or the like.
[0048] The various embodiments provide a media player that
integrates the functionalities of video tuning and wireless video
communication within a single device, the various embodiments
further providing the corresponding method and system. Further
advantages of such an integrated single device include, without
limitation, minimized set-up times for the media player. For
example, a service provider is able to offer services to consumers
both inside and outside its main serving areas, shipping customer
premises equipment ("CPE"; e.g., set-top box, or the like)--which,
in this case, is in the form of the media player--directly to a
customer or user and enabling the customer to connect the media
player to his or her TV(s) wirelessly, without restrictions
associated with media player placement (e.g., near the TV(s), or in
line of sight of the TV(s), etc.). In fact, the media player (which
might have voice input capabilities, gesture control capabilities,
and/or touch interface capabilities, or the like) might be
positioned close to where the user might be seated rather than
closer to where the display devices are located, or the like, to
facilitate communication or interaction between the user and the
media player. The customer or user is also relieved from the
tedious task of figuring out how to connect cables between the
media player and the TV(s), as the wireless only set-up precludes
such steps. Further, technicians need not be sent out to install
the media player in the customer's home or office because set-up
can be handled wirelessly (and in some cases, remotely from a
central office or the like, if at all necessary). Such embodiments
differ from (and provide freedom of installation/set-up and
operation, as well as improved presentation functionalities
compared with) existing wireless video communications systems,
which are separate from the media player and which require cable
connections to the media player for a first component and cable
connections to the display device(s) for a second component, or the
like.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another system
200 for implementing video tuning and wireless video communication
using a single device in which these functionalities are
integrated, in accordance with various embodiments.
[0050] In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 2, according to some
embodiments, system 200 might comprise a media player 205 (which
might correspond to media player 105 of system 100 of FIG. 1, or
the like). Media player 205, in some cases, might comprise one or
more processors 210, an integrated wireless video link system 215,
one or more communications transceivers 220, one or more user
interface device(s) 225 (optional), and one or more data stores or
data storage devices 230, and/or the like. System 200 might further
comprise one or more display devices 235 (which might correspond to
the one or more display devices 115 of system 100 of FIG. 1, or the
like), each of which might include, without limitation, one or more
processors 240, one or more data stores 245, one or more
communications transceivers 250, one or more display screens 255,
and (optionally) one or more (built-in) speakers 260a, and/or the
like. System 200 might further comprise one or more user devices
265 (which might correspond to the one or more user devices 120 of
system 100 of FIG. 1, or the like), each of which might include,
but are not limited to, one or more processors 270, one or more
data stores 275, one or more communications transceivers 280, one
or more user interface device(s) 285, and (optionally) one or more
(built-in) speakers 290a, and/or the like.
[0051] In some embodiments, the one or more user interface
device(s) 285 might include, but is not limited to, at least one of
a touchscreen display(s) or touchscreen display device(s), one or
more physical actuators (e.g., buttons, switches, toggles, etc.),
one or more virtual actuators (e.g., touchscreen buttons, switches,
toggles, slide-bars, etc.), one or more voice interface devices, a
gesture interface device(s), a remote control interface device(s),
and/or the like. In some cases, system 200 might further comprise
one or more external speakers 260b (which might communicatively
couple either wirelessly or in a wired manner with at least one of
the display devices 235 (in some instances, via communications
transceivers 250)) and one or more external speakers 290b (which
might communicatively couple either wirelessly or in a wired manner
with at least one of the user devices 265 (in some instances, via
communications transceivers 280)), and/or the like. The media
player 205 might communicatively couple (via wireless connection
via integrated wireless video link system 215 and/or communications
transceivers 220, or the like) with each of the display devices 235
(in some cases, via communications transceivers 250) and with each
of the user devices 265 (in some cases, via communications
transceivers 280).
[0052] The media player 205, the one or more display devices 235,
the one or more user devices 265, and the one or more (internal)
speakers 260a or 290b and the one or more (external) speakers 260b
or 290b of system 200 in FIG. 2 are otherwise similar, if not
identical, to the media player 105, the one or more display devices
115, the one or more user devices 120, and the one or more audio
playback devices 125a-125n, respectively, of system 100 in FIG. 1,
and the descriptions of these components of system 100 are
applicable to the corresponding components of system 200,
respectively.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another
system 300 for implementing video tuning and wireless video
communication using a single device in which these functionalities
are integrated, in accordance with various embodiments.
[0054] In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 3, system 300 might
comprise a media player 305, which might comprise an integrated
wireless video link system 305a. System 300, according to some
embodiments, might further comprise one or more display devices 315
(collectively, "display devices 315" or the like), which might each
include a display screen(s) 315a, and one or more user devices 320
(collectively, "user devices 320" or the like), each of which might
include a user interface device(s), and/or the like. In some
aspects, the one or more user device 320 might include, without
limitation, a tablet computer or smart phone 320a, a dedicated
remote controller 320b, a universal remote controller 320c, and/or
the like (collectively, "user devices 320" or the like). In some
embodiments, the user interface device(s) might include, but is not
limited to, at least one of a touchscreen display(s) or touchscreen
display device(s), one or more physical actuators (e.g., buttons,
switches, toggles, etc.), one or more virtual actuators (e.g.,
touchscreen buttons, switches, toggles, slide-bars, etc.), one or
more voice interface devices, a gesture interface device(s), a
remote control interface device(s), and/or the like. In some cases,
system 300 might further, or optionally, comprise one or more audio
playback devices 325a-325n (collectively, "audio playback devices
325" or "speakers 325" or the like), and/or the like.
[0055] The media player 305 might communicatively couple to each of
the one or more display devices 315 and/or the one or more user
devices 320 (and, in some cases, to one or more of the audio
playback devices 325a-325n, or the like) via wireless connection,
via the integrated wireless video link system 305a. Each of the one
or more display devices 315 and/or the one or more user devices 320
might communicatively couple to one or more of the audio playback
devices 325a-325n, and/or to each other, either via wireless
connection and/or via wired connection. The one or more user
devices 320 might each receive user input from a user 365 (in
various embodiments, receiving touch input from the user via a
touchscreen display (e.g., touchscreen display of a tablet device,
a smart phone, a laptop computer, or the like); in some
embodiments, receiving voice input from the user via a voice
interface device (in the user device 320 or the media player 305,
or the like); in some instances, receiving gesture input from the
user via a gesture interface device (in the user device 320 or the
media player 305, or the like); in some cases, receiving physical
user input from the user via one or more physical actuators (e.g.,
buttons, switches, and/or the like), or the like (in the user
device 320 or the media player 305, or the like); according to some
embodiments, receiving remote control input via a remote control
interface device of a remote controller 320b or 320c; etc.), and
might each relay the user input to the media player 305, according
to some embodiments.
[0056] System 300 might further comprise one or more media (e.g.,
video, audio, or game) content sources or servers 335 and
corresponding database(s) 340 that might communicatively couple to
the media player 305 via one or more networks 345. The lightning
bolt symbols are used to denote wireless communications between the
media player 305 and each of at least one of the display devices
315, between the media player 305 and each of at least one of the
user devices 320a-320c, between the display device 315 and the user
devices 320a-320c, between the media player 305 and each of the one
or more audio playback devices 325a-325n, between the display
device 315 and each of at least one of the one or more audio
playback devices 325a-325n, between the user devices 320 and each
of at least one of the one or more audio playback devices
325a-325n, and/or the like. Similarly, the wave-like symbols are
used to denote voice communications, infrared ("IR"), or other
electromagnetic or wireless communications, and/or the like.
[0057] The media player 305, the one or more display devices 315,
the one or more user devices 320a-320c, the one or more audio
playback devices 325a-325n, video content source(s) 335,
database(s) 340, and network 345 of system 200 in FIG. 2 are
otherwise similar, if not identical, to the media player 105, the
one or more display devices 115, the one or more user devices 120,
the one or more audio playback devices 125a-125n, video content
source(s) 135, database(s) 140, and network 145, respectively, of
system 100 in FIG. 1, and the descriptions of these components of
system 100 are applicable to the corresponding components of system
200, respectively.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 400 for
implementing video tuning and wireless video communication using a
single device in which these functionalities are integrated, in
accordance with various embodiments.
[0059] While the techniques and procedures are depicted and/or
described in a certain order for purposes of illustration, it
should be appreciated that certain procedures may be reordered
and/or omitted within the scope of various embodiments. Moreover,
while the method 400 illustrated by FIG. 4 can be implemented by or
with (and, in some cases, are described below with respect to) the
systems 100, 200, and 300 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively (or
components thereof), such methods may also be implemented using any
suitable hardware (or software) implementation. Similarly, while
each of the systems 100, 200, and 300 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,
respectively (or components thereof), can operate according to the
method 400 illustrated by FIG. 4 (e.g., by executing instructions
embodied on a computer readable medium), the systems 100, 200, and
300 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 can each also operate according to other
modes of operation and/or perform other suitable procedures.
[0060] In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 4A, method 400, at
block 405, might comprise receiving, with a media player comprising
an integrated wireless video link system, an encoded video signal
from a media content source. In some embodiments, the media player
might include, without limitation, one of a set-top box ("STB"), a
digital video recording ("DVR") device, a user device, a server
computer over a network, a cloud-based computing system over a
network, or a gaming console, and/or the like.
[0061] At optional block 410, method 400 might comprise receiving
user input from a user. In some instances, the user input might
include, without limitation, at least one of voice input via a
voice interface device, remote control input via a remote
controller, or user interface input via a user interface device
that is integrated in the media player, and/or the like. According
to some embodiments, the user input might be received from a user
device, which includes, but is not limited to, one of a laptop
computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a
personal digital assistant, a remote control device, or a portable
gaming device, and/or the like.
[0062] Method 400 might further comprise decoding, with the media
player, the received video signal (block 415). In some embodiments,
decoding the received video signal might comprise decoding, with
the media player, the received video signal in response to
receiving the user input (or in response to the received user
input).
[0063] Method 400 might further comprise, at block 420,
establishing, with the media player, a wireless communications link
between the media player and one or more display devices via the
integrated wireless video link system. Merely by way of example, in
some instances, the one or more display devices each comprises one
of a television set, a smart television, a video projection system,
a computer monitor, or a laptop monitor, and/or the like. In some
cases, establishing the wireless communications link between the
media player and the one or more display devices via the integrated
wireless video link system might comprise establishing, with the
media player, a wireless communications link between the media
player and one or more display devices via the integrated wireless
video link system in response to receiving the user input (or in
response to the received user input). In some embodiments,
establishing a wireless communications link between the media
player and one or more display devices via the integrated wireless
video link system might comprise establishing, with the media
player, a secure wireless communications link between the media
player and one or more display devices via the integrated wireless
video link system, the secure wireless communications link allowing
only the one or more display devices to receive the decoded video
signal
[0064] At block 425, method 400 might comprise sending, with the
media player, the decoded video signal to the one or more display
devices via the wireless communications link established by the
integrated wireless video link system. In some instances, sending
the decoded video signal to the one or more display devices might
comprise sending, with the media player, the decoded video signal
to the one or more display devices via the wireless communications
link established by the integrated wireless video link system, in
response to receiving the user input (or in response to the
received user input). According to some embodiments, sending the
decoded video signal to the one or more display devices via the
wireless communications link established by the integrated wireless
video link system might comprises sending, with the media player,
the decoded video signal to the one or more display devices, via
the wireless communications link established by the integrated
wireless video link system, using a wireless video link protocol
comprising at least one of WirelessHD protocol, Wireless Home
Digital Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or Wireless Gigabit Alliance
("WiGig") protocol, and/or the like.
[0065] Exemplary System and Hardware Implementation
[0066] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer
or system hardware architecture, in accordance with various
embodiments. FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of one
embodiment of a computer system 500 of the service provider system
hardware that can perform the methods provided by various other
embodiments, as described herein, and/or can perform the functions
of computer or hardware system (i.e., media players 105, 205, and
305, display devices 115, 235, and 315, user devices 120, 265, and
320a-320c, audio playback devices 125a-125n, 260a, 260b, 290a,
290b, and 325a-325n, video content sources (or servers) 135 and
335, computing systems 155, etc.), as described above. It should be
noted that FIG. 5 is meant only to provide a generalized
illustration of various components, of which one or more (or none)
of each may be utilized as appropriate. FIG. 5, therefore, broadly
illustrates how individual system elements may be implemented in a
relatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.
[0067] The computer or hardware system 500--which might represent
an embodiment of the computer or hardware system (i.e., media
players 105, 205, and 305, display devices 115, 235, and 315, user
devices 120, 265, and 320a-320c, audio playback devices 125a-125n,
260a, 260b, 290a, 290b, and 325a-325n, video content sources (or
servers) 135 and 335, computing systems 155, etc.), described above
with respect to FIGS. 1-4--is shown comprising hardware elements
that can be electrically coupled via a bus 505 (or may otherwise be
in communication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may
include one or more processors 510, including, without limitation,
one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more
special-purpose processors (such as microprocessors, digital signal
processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the
like); one or more input devices 515, which can include, without
limitation, a mouse, a keyboard and/or the like; and one or more
output devices 520, which can include, without limitation, a
display device, a printer, and/or the like.
[0068] The computer or hardware system 500 may further include
(and/or be in communication with) one or more storage devices 525,
which can comprise, without limitation, local and/or network
accessible storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk
drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, solid-state
storage device such as a random access memory ("RAM") and/or a
read-only memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable,
flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices may be
configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including,
without limitation, various file systems, database structures,
and/or the like.
[0069] The computer or hardware system 500 might also include a
communications subsystem 530, which can include, without
limitation, a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an
infra-red communication device, a wireless communication device
and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth.TM. device, an 802.11 device, a
WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellular communication
facilities, etc.), and/or the like. In some aspects, the
communications subsystem 530 might also comprise a wireless video
link system, which might utilize a wireless video link protocol
comprising at least one of WirelessHD protocol, Wireless Home
Digital Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or Wireless Gigabit Alliance
("WiGig") protocol, and/or the like. The communications subsystem
530 may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such as the
network described below, to name one example), with other computer
or hardware systems, and/or with any other devices described
herein. In many embodiments, the computer or hardware system 500
will further comprise a working memory 535, which can include a RAM
or ROM device, as described above.
[0070] The computer or hardware system 500 also may comprise
software elements, shown as being currently located within the
working memory 535, including an operating system 540, device
drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one or
more application programs 545, which may comprise computer programs
provided by various embodiments (including, without limitation,
hypervisors, VMs, and the like), and/or may be designed to
implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided by other
embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one or
more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed
above might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable
by a computer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect,
then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or
adapt a general purpose computer (or other device) to perform one
or more operations in accordance with the described methods.
[0071] A set of these instructions and/or code might be encoded
and/or stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium,
such as the storage device(s) 525 described above. In some cases,
the storage medium might be incorporated within a computer system,
such as the system 500. In other embodiments, the storage medium
might be separate from a computer system (i.e., a removable medium,
such as a compact disc, etc.), and/or provided in an installation
package, such that the storage medium can be used to program,
configure and/or adapt a general purpose computer with the
instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take the
form of executable code, which is executable by the computer or
hardware system 500 and/or might take the form of source and/or
installable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on
the computer or hardware system 500 (e.g., using any of a variety
of generally available compilers, installation programs,
compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form of
executable code.
[0072] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific
requirements. For example, customized hardware (such as
programmable logic controllers, field-programmable gate arrays,
application-specific integrated circuits, and/or the like) might
also be used, and/or particular elements might be implemented in
hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets,
etc.), or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such
as network input/output devices may be employed.
[0073] As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may
employ a computer or hardware system (such as the computer or
hardware system 500) to perform methods in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention. According to a set of embodiments,
some or all of the procedures of such methods are performed by the
computer or hardware system 500 in response to processor 510
executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which
might be incorporated into the operating system 540 and/or other
code, such as an application program 545) contained in the working
memory 535. Such instructions may be read into the working memory
535 from another computer readable medium, such as one or more of
the storage device(s) 525. Merely by way of example, execution of
the sequences of instructions contained in the working memory 535
might cause the processor(s) 510 to perform one or more procedures
of the methods described herein.
[0074] The terms "machine readable medium" and "computer readable
medium," as used herein, refer to any medium that participates in
providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific
fashion. In an embodiment implemented using the computer or
hardware system 500, various computer readable media might be
involved in providing instructions/code to processor(s) 510 for
execution and/or might be used to store and/or carry such
instructions/code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, a
computer readable medium is a non-transitory, physical, and/or
tangible storage medium. In some embodiments, a computer readable
medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to,
non-volatile media, volatile media, or the like. Non-volatile media
includes, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as the
storage device(s) 525. Volatile media includes, without limitation,
dynamic memory, such as the working memory 535. In some alternative
embodiments, a computer readable medium may take the form of
transmission media, which includes, without limitation, coaxial
cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that
comprise the bus 505, as well as the various components of the
communication subsystem 530 (and/or the media by which the
communications subsystem 530 provides communication with other
devices). In an alternative set of embodiments, transmission media
can also take the form of waves (including without limitation
radio, acoustic and/or light waves, such as those generated during
radio-wave and infra-red data communications).
[0075] Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer readable
media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard
disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any
other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical
medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a
FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as
described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer
can read instructions and/or code.
[0076] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the
processor(s) 510 for execution. Merely by way of example, the
instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk and/or
optical disc of a remote computer. A remote computer might load the
instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions as
signals over a transmission medium to be received and/or executed
by the computer or hardware system 500. These signals, which might
be in the form of electromagnetic signals, acoustic signals,
optical signals, and/or the like, are all examples of carrier waves
on which instructions can be encoded, in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention.
[0077] The communications subsystem 530 (and/or components thereof)
generally will receive the signals, and the bus 505 then might
carry the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by
the signals) to the working memory 535, from which the processor(s)
505 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions
received by the working memory 535 may optionally be stored on a
storage device 525 either before or after execution by the
processor(s) 510.
[0078] As noted above, a set of embodiments comprises methods and
systems for implementing media content streaming or playback, and,
more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for
implementing video tuning and wireless video communication using a
single device in which these functionalities are integrated. FIG. 6
illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 600 that can be used in
accordance with one set of embodiments. The system 600 can include
one or more user computers, user devices, or customer devices 605.
A user computer, user device, or customer device 605 can be a
general purpose personal computer (including, merely by way of
example, desktop computers, tablet computers, laptop computers,
handheld computers, and the like, running any appropriate operating
system, several of which are available from vendors such as Apple,
Microsoft Corp., and the like), cloud computing devices, a
server(s), and/or a workstation computer(s) running any of a
variety of commercially-available UNIX.TM. or UNIX-like operating
systems. A user computer, user device, or customer device 605 can
also have any of a variety of applications, including one or more
applications configured to perform methods provided by various
embodiments (as described above, for example), as well as one or
more office applications, database client and/or server
applications, and/or web browser applications. Alternatively, a
user computer, user device, or customer device 605 can be any other
electronic device, such as a thin-client computer, Internet-enabled
mobile telephone, and/or personal digital assistant, capable of
communicating via a network (e.g., the network(s) 610 described
below) and/or of displaying and navigating web pages or other types
of electronic documents. Although the exemplary system 600 is shown
with two user computers, user devices, or customer devices 605, any
number of user computers, user devices, or customer devices can be
supported.
[0079] Certain embodiments operate in a networked environment,
which can include a network(s) 610. The network(s) 610 can be any
type of network familiar to those skilled in the art that can
support data communications using any of a variety of
commercially-available (and/or free or proprietary) protocols,
including, without limitation, TCP/IP, SNA.TM., IPX.TM.,
AppleTalk.TM., and the like. Merely by way of example, the
network(s) 610 (similar to network(s) 145 FIG. 1, or the like) can
each include a local area network ("LAN"), including, without
limitation, a fiber network, an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring.TM.
network and/or the like; a wide-area network ("WAN"); a wireless
wide area network ("WWAN"); a virtual network, such as a virtual
private network ("VPN"); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet; a
public switched telephone network ("PSTN"); an infra-red network; a
wireless network, including, without limitation, a network
operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the
Bluetooth.TM. protocol known in the art, and/or any other wireless
protocol; and/or any combination of these and/or other networks. In
a particular embodiment, the network might include an access
network of the service provider (e.g., an Internet service provider
("ISP")). In another embodiment, the network might include a core
network of the service provider, and/or the Internet.
[0080] Embodiments can also include one or more server computers
615. Each of the server computers 615 may be configured with an
operating system, including, without limitation, any of those
discussed above, as well as any commercially (or freely) available
server operating systems. Each of the servers 615 may also be
running one or more applications, which can be configured to
provide services to one or more clients 605 and/or other servers
615.
[0081] Merely by way of example, one of the servers 615 might be a
data server, a web server, a cloud computing device(s), or the
like, as described above. The data server might include (or be in
communication with) a web server, which can be used, merely by way
of example, to process requests for web pages or other electronic
documents from user computers 605. The web server can also run a
variety of server applications, including HTTP servers, FTP
servers, CGI servers, database servers, Java servers, and the like.
In some embodiments of the invention, the web server may be
configured to serve web pages that can be operated within a web
browser on one or more of the user computers 605 to perform methods
of the invention.
[0082] The server computers 615, in some embodiments, might include
one or more application servers, which can be configured with one
or more applications accessible by a client running on one or more
of the client computers 605 and/or other servers 615. Merely by way
of example, the server(s) 615 can be one or more general purpose
computers capable of executing programs or scripts in response to
the user computers 605 and/or other servers 615, including, without
limitation, web applications (which might, in some cases, be
configured to perform methods provided by various embodiments).
Merely by way of example, a web application can be implemented as
one or more scripts or programs written in any suitable programming
language, such as Java.TM., C, C#.TM. or C++, and/or any scripting
language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, as well as combinations of
any programming and/or scripting languages. The application
server(s) can also include database servers, including, without
limitation, those commercially available from Oracle.TM.,
Microsoft.TM., Sybase.TM., IBM.TM., and the like, which can process
requests from clients (including, depending on the configuration,
dedicated database clients, API clients, web browsers, etc.)
running on a user computer, user device, or customer device 605
and/or another server 615. In some embodiments, an application
server can perform one or more of the processes for implementing
media content streaming or playback, and, more particularly, to
methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing video tuning and
wireless video communication using a single device in which these
functionalities are integrated, as described in detail above. Data
provided by an application server may be formatted as one or more
web pages (comprising HTML, JavaScript, etc., for example) and/or
may be forwarded to a user computer 605 via a web server (as
described above, for example). Similarly, a web server might
receive web page requests and/or input data from a user computer
605 and/or forward the web page requests and/or input data to an
application server. In some cases, a web server may be integrated
with an application server.
[0083] In accordance with further embodiments, one or more servers
615 can function as a file server and/or can include one or more of
the files (e.g., application code, data files, etc.) necessary to
implement various disclosed methods, incorporated by an application
running on a user computer 605 and/or another server 615.
Alternatively, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, a file
server can include all necessary files, allowing such an
application to be invoked remotely by a user computer, user device,
or customer device 605 and/or server 615.
[0084] It should be noted that the functions described with respect
to various servers herein (e.g., application server, database
server, web server, file server, etc.) can be performed by a single
server and/or a plurality of specialized servers, depending on
implementation-specific needs and parameters.
[0085] In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more
databases 620a-620n (collectively, "databases 620"). The location
of each of the databases 620 is discretionary: merely by way of
example, a database 620a might reside on a storage medium local to
(and/or resident in) a server 615a (and/or a user computer, user
device, or customer device 605). Alternatively, a database 620n can
be remote from any or all of the computers 605, 615, so long as it
can be in communication (e.g., via the network 610) with one or
more of these. In a particular set of embodiments, a database 620
can reside in a storage-area network ("SAN") familiar to those
skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessary files for performing
the functions attributed to the computers 605, 615 can be stored
locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, as
appropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 620 can be a
relational database, such as an Oracle database, that is adapted to
store, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted
commands. The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a
database server, as described above, for example.
[0086] According to some embodiments, system 600 might further
comprise a media player 625 with an integrated wireless video link
system 625a (similar to media players 105, 205, and 305 of FIGS.
1-3, or the like), one or more display devices 630 each with
display screen(s) 630a (similar to display devices 115, 235, and
315 of FIGS. 1-3, or the like), one or more user devices 635 each
with user interface device(s) 635a (similar to user devices 120,
265, and 320a-320c of FIGS. 1-3, or the like), one or more audio
playback devices 640a-640n (similar to audio playback devices
125a-125n, 260a, 260b, 290a, 290b, and 325a-325n of FIGS. 1-3, or
the like), one or more media (e.g., video) content sources 645 and
corresponding database(s) 650 (similar to media or video content
sources (or servers) 135 and corresponding databases 140 of FIG. 1,
or the like), and/or the like. In some embodiments, the media
player 625 might comprise a media device that is communicatively
coupled to a playback device(s) (i.e., one or more of display
device(s) 630, the user device(s) 605 or 635, and/or audio playback
device(s) 640a-640n, or the like). In some cases, the media device
might comprise one of a set-top box ("STB"), a media player, a
gaming console, a server computer, a desktop computer, or a laptop
computer, and/or the like. The media player might comprise one of a
digital versatile disc or digital video disc ("DVD") player, a
Blu-ray disc ("BD") player, a digital video recording ("DVR")
device, a streaming video player, a streaming music player, or a
streaming game player, and/or the like, while the playback device
might comprise at least one of one or more monitors, one or more
television sets, or one or more speakers, and/or the like.
[0087] In operation, the media player 625 might receive an encoded
video signal from media content source(s) 645 (and/or the
database(s) 650 via the media content source(s) 645, or the like),
might decode the received video signal, might establish a wireless
communications link between the media player and the one or more
display devices 630 via the integrated wireless video link system
625a, and might send the decoded video signal to the one or more
display devices 630 (and/or one or more user devices 635) via the
wireless communications link established by the integrated wireless
video link system 625a.
[0088] According to some embodiments, sending the decoded video
signal to the one or more display devices 630 via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system 625a might comprise sending the decoded video signal to
the one or more display devices 630, via the wireless
communications link established by the integrated wireless video
link system 625a, using a wireless video link protocol comprising
at least one of WirelessHD protocol, Wireless Home Digital
Interface ("WHDI") protocol, or Wireless Gigabit Alliance ("WiGig")
protocol, and/or the like.
[0089] In some embodiments, the media player 625 might receive user
input from a user. In some cases, at least one of decoding the
received video signal, establishing the wireless communications
link between the media player 625 and the one or more display
devices 630 via the integrated wireless video link system 625a, or
sending the decoded video signal to the one or more display devices
630 via the wireless communications link, and/or the like might be
performed in response to receiving the user input. In some
instances, the user input might include, without limitation, at
least one of voice input via a voice interface device, remote
control input via a remote controller, or user interface input via
a user interface device that is integrated in the media player,
and/or the like. According to some embodiments, the user input
might be received from a user device 605 or 635, which includes,
but is not limited to, one of a laptop computer, a tablet computer,
a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a
remote control device, or a portable gaming device, and/or the
like.
[0090] These and other functions of the system 600 (and its
components) are described in greater detail above with respect to
FIGS. 1-4.
[0091] While certain features and aspects have been described with
respect to exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will
recognize that numerous modifications are possible. For example,
the methods and processes described herein may be implemented using
hardware components, software components, and/or any combination
thereof. Further, while various methods and processes described
herein may be described with respect to particular structural
and/or functional components for ease of description, methods
provided by various embodiments are not limited to any particular
structural and/or functional architecture but instead can be
implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware and/or software
configuration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed
to certain system components, unless the context dictates
otherwise, this functionality can be distributed among various
other system components in accordance with the several
embodiments.
[0092] Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes
described herein are described in a particular order for ease of
description, unless the context dictates otherwise, various
procedures may be reordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance
with various embodiments. Moreover, the procedures described with
respect to one method or process may be incorporated within other
described methods or processes; likewise, system components
described according to a particular structural architecture and/or
with respect to one system may be organized in alternative
structural architectures and/or incorporated within other described
systems. Hence, while various embodiments are described with--or
without--certain features for ease of description and to illustrate
exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the various components
and/or features described herein with respect to a particular
embodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among
other described embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.
Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are described
above, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to
cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *