U.S. patent application number 16/798058 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-18 for systems and methods of controlling media content in a multi-room environment using a wireless communication device.
The applicant listed for this patent is VTV TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Bret Hruby, Michael Zhao.
Application Number | 20200196360 16/798058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61526833 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-18 |
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200196360/US20200196360A1-20200618-D00007.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200196360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hruby; Bret ; et
al. |
June 18, 2020 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CONTROLLING MEDIA CONTENT IN A MULTI-ROOM
ENVIRONMENT USING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE
Abstract
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling
media content with a wireless device in a wireless communication
network via a media content streaming device communicatively
coupled to an access point in a multi-room environment. Users
associated with client computing platforms may obtain
authentication to the wireless communication network via the access
point. Upon gaining access to wireless communication network, users
may be able to access the Internet using their client computing
platforms. Users may be able to effectuate a wireless data
communication session between their client computing platforms and
media content streaming devices. Users may be able to control the
media content streamed by the media content streaming device onto a
media content display device. The access point may be connected to
the media content streaming device via a dongle-type connector.
Associations between media content streaming devices and client
computing platforms may be maintained.
Inventors: |
Hruby; Bret; (Burr Ridge,
IL) ; Zhao; Michael; (Burr Ridge, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VTV TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
Burr Ridge |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61526833 |
Appl. No.: |
16/798058 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15371160 |
Dec 6, 2016 |
10575342 |
|
|
16798058 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/80 20180201; H04L
65/4084 20130101; H04L 65/4092 20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101; H04W
48/20 20130101; H04N 21/4367 20130101; H04W 76/10 20180201; H04L
65/4069 20130101; H04N 21/63775 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 76/10 20060101
H04W076/10; H04N 21/4367 20060101 H04N021/4367; H04N 21/6377
20060101 H04N021/6377; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; H04W 12/06
20060101 H04W012/06 |
Claims
1. A media content transmission system, the system comprising: a
housing encompassing a streaming device configured to
communicatively couple a display device, and a connecting device
comprising a first interface configured to communicatively couple
the streaming device, and a second interface configured to
communicatively couple an access point; and a plurality of mobile
devices operated by a plurality of users, each mobile device
configured to transmit media content from the mobile device onto
the display device via the streaming device during a wireless data
communication session; wherein the wireless communication session
between an individual mobile device and the access point is
established by authenticating a user associated with the individual
mobile device during an authentication process by assigning the
individual mobile device to the access point; and wherein the
assigned individual mobile device transmits media content via the
streaming device communicatively coupled to the assigned access
point via the connecting device; wherein the first interface of the
connecting device comprises a microUSB connector and the second
interface of the connecting device comprises an Ethernet
connector.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the individual mobile device is
configured to access a global internet using the assigned access
point.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the assigned access point is
communicatively coupled to a network server via a wired
connection.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the individual mobile device is
configured to communicate with the streaming device over one or
more communication protocols comprising at least one of Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, near field communication, and RFID communication
protocols.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the streaming device is
configured to be communicatively coupled to the display device via
a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the media content transmitted by
the individual mobile device via the streaming device onto the
display device is received from the global internet.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein an individual user controls the
media content received from the global internet and transmitted by
the individual mobile device via the streaming device onto the
display device via a graphical user interface of a media content
application on the individual media device.
8. A connecting device for transmitting media content, the device
comprising: a first interface configured to communicatively couple
a streaming device, the streaming device communicatively coupled to
a display device; and a second interface configured to
communicatively couple an access point; and wherein a mobile device
of a plurality of mobile devices operated by a plurality of users
is configured to transmit content from the mobile device onto the
display device via the streaming device during an authenticated
wireless data communication session between the mobile device and
the access point; and wherein the authenticated wireless
communication session is established by associating the mobile
device with the connecting device by assigning the mobile device to
the access point; and wherein the mobile device transmits media
content via the streaming device communicatively coupled to the
access point assigned to the mobile device via the connecting
device.
9. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the first interface of
the device for transmitting media content comprises a microUSB
connector and the second interface of the device for transmitting
media content comprises an Ethernet connector.
10. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the mobile device is
configured to access a global internet using the assigned access
point.
11. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the assigned access
point is communicatively coupled to a network server via a wired
connection.
12. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the device for
transmitting media content and the streaming device are enclosed in
a housing.
13. A method for transmitting media content in a multi-user
environment, the method comprising: establishing a wireless
communication session between an individual mobile device of a
plurality of mobile devices operated by a plurality of users and an
access point by authenticating a user associated with the
individual mobile device during an authentication process by
assigning the individual mobile device to the access point; and
transmitting media content from the individual mobile device via a
streaming device onto a display device during the wireless data
communication session, wherein the streaming device is configured
to communicatively couple the display device; and wherein the
streaming device is configured to communicatively couple the
assigned access point via a connecting device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communicative coupling of
the assigned access point by the streaming device via the
connecting device comprises communicatively coupling a first
interface of the connecting device to the streaming device and
communicatively coupling a second interface of the connecting
device to the assigned access point; and wherein the first
interface of the connecting device comprises a microUSB connector
and the second interface of the connecting device comprises an
Ethernet connector.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the individual mobile device is
configured to communicate with the streaming device over one or
more communication protocols comprising at least one of Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, near field communication, and RFID communication
protocols.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitting media content
from the individual mobile device via the streaming device onto the
display device comprises communicatively coupling the streaming
device to the display device via a high definition multimedia
interface (HDMI).
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the authentication process
comprises: receiving user information comprising an identification
input; and comparing the identification input with an
authentication parameter; wherein the access point is assigned to
the individual mobile device upon determining the identification
input matches the authentication parameter.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/371,160 filed on Dec. 6, 2016, the contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for
controlling media content with a wireless device in a wireless
and/or wired communication network via a media content streaming
device communicatively coupled to a media content streaming
gateway.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is been known that users are increasingly using wireless
mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets, and the like that
provide Internet connectivity. In using these devices, users are
consuming media from various sources on the Internet and on their
wireless mobile devices. With the growth of media streaming cast
devices like Chromecast.TM. and Apple TV.TM. users can stream data
from their wireless mobile devices or the Internet.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with one or more embodiments, various features
and functionality can be provided to enable or otherwise facilitate
media content transmission in a multi-user environment.
[0005] Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to systems and
methods for a media content transmission system. In one embodiment,
a media content transmission system may include a housing
encompassing a streaming device configured to communicatively
couple a display device, and a connecting device comprising a first
interface configured to communicatively couple the streaming
device, and a second interface configured to communicatively couple
an access point. A media content transmission system may also
include a plurality of mobile devices operated by a plurality of
users, each mobile device configured to transmit media content from
the mobile device onto the display device via the streaming device
during a wireless data communication session. The wireless
communication session between an individual mobile device and the
access point may be established by authenticating a user associated
with the individual mobile device during an authentication process
by assigning the individual mobile device to the access point. The
assigned individual mobile device may transmit media content via
the streaming device communicatively coupled to the assigned access
point via the connecting device. The first interface of the
connecting device may include a microUSB connector and the second
interface of the connecting device comprises an Ethernet
connector.
[0006] In some embodiments, the individual mobile device may be
configured to access a global internet using the assigned access
point.
[0007] In some embodiments, the assigned access point may be
communicatively coupled to a network server via a wired
connection.
[0008] In some embodiments, the individual mobile device may be
configured to communicate with the streaming device over one or
more communication protocols including at least one of Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, near field communication, and RFID communication
protocols.
[0009] In embodiments, the streaming device may be configured to be
communicatively coupled to the display device via a high definition
multimedia interface (HDMI).
[0010] In some embodiments, the media content transmitted by the
individual communication device via the streaming device onto the
display device may be received from the global internet.
[0011] In some embodiments, an individual user may control the
media content received from the global internet and transmitted by
the individual mobile device via the streaming device onto the
display device via a graphical user interface of a media content
application on the individual media device.
[0012] In another embodiment, a connecting device for transmitting
media content is disclosed. The device may include a first
interface configured to communicatively couple a streaming device,
the streaming device communicatively coupled to a display device.
The device may also include a second interface configured to
communicatively couple an access point. A mobile device of a
plurality of mobile devices operated by a plurality of users may be
configured to transmit content from the mobile device onto the
display device via the streaming device during an authenticated
wireless data communication session between the mobile device and
the access point. The authenticated wireless communication session
may be established by associating the mobile device with the
connecting device by assigning the mobile device to the access
point. The mobile device may transmit media content via the
streaming device communicatively coupled to the access point
assigned to the mobile device via the connecting device.
[0013] In some embodiments, the first interface of the device for
transmitting media content may include a microUSB connector and the
second interface of the device for transmitting media content may
include an Ethernet connector.
[0014] In some embodiments, the mobile device may be configured to
access a global internet using the assigned access point.
[0015] In some embodiments, the assigned access point may be
communicatively coupled to a network server via a wired
connection.
[0016] In some embodiments, the device for transmitting media
content and the streaming device may be enclosed in a housing.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, a method for transmitting media
content in a multi-user environment is disclosed. The method may
include establishing a wireless communication session between an
individual mobile device of a plurality of mobile devices operated
by a plurality of users and an access point by authenticating a
user associated with the individual mobile device during an
authentication process by assigning the individual mobile device to
the access point. The method may also include transmitting media
content from the individual mobile device via a streaming device
onto a display device during the wireless data communication
session. The streaming device may be configured to communicatively
couple the display device. The streaming device may be configured
to communicatively couple the assigned access point via a
connecting device.
[0018] In some embodiments, the communicative coupling of the
assigned access point by the streaming device via the connecting
device may include communicatively coupling a first interface of
the communication device to the streaming device and
communicatively coupling a second interface of the connecting
device to the assigned access point. The first interface of the
connecting device may include a microUSB connector and the second
interface of the connecting device may include an Ethernet
connector
[0019] In some embodiments, the individual mobile device may be
configured to communicate with the streaming device over one or
more communication protocols comprising at least one of Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, near field communication, and RFID communication
protocols.
[0020] In some embodiments, the transmitting media content from the
individual mobile device via the streaming device onto the display
device may include communicatively coupling the streaming device to
the display device via a high definition multimedia interface
(HDMI).
[0021] In some embodiments, the authentication process is
disclosed. The authentication process may include receiving user
information comprising an identification input. The authentication
process may also include comparing the identification input with an
authentication parameter. The access point may be assigned to the
individual mobile device upon determining the identification input
matches the authentication parameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for controlling media content
with a client computing device in a wireless communication network
via a media content streaming device communicatively coupled to a
media content streaming gateway, according to an implementation of
the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of a media content streaming
gateway with a communicatively coupled media content streaming
device an example system configured to generate a diet and exercise
program, according to an implementation of the disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary media content streaming
gateway with a communicatively coupled media content streaming
device, according to an implementation of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary dongle-type connector used
to communicatively couple a media content streaming device within a
media content streaming gateway, according to an implementation of
the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user interface used
controlling media content in a wireless communication network,
according to an implementation of the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary user interface used for
monitoring and controlling media content streaming device,
according to an implementation of the disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of for controlling media content
with a client computing platform in a wireless communication
network via a media content streaming device communicatively
coupled within a media content streaming gateway, according to an
implementation of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-room media content control system
100, in accordance with one or more implementations. As is
illustrated in FIG. 1, system 100 may include one or more of one or
more servers 102, one or more client computing devices 104, one or
more media content streaming gateways 122, one or more media
content streaming devices 124, one or more media content display
devices 126, and/or other components.
[0030] Server(s) 102 may be configured to communicate with one or
more client computing device(s) 104 according to a client/server
architecture. The users of system 100 may access system 100 via
client computing devices(s) 104 associated with the users.
Server(s) 102 may include one or more physical processors 124,
and/or other components. The one or more physical processors 124
may be configured by machine-readable instructions 105. Executing
the machine-readable instructions 105 may cause server(s) 102 to
facilitate generating augmented reality experiences.
Machine-readable instructions 105 may include one or more computer
program components. The computer program components may include one
or more of access component 106, streaming component 108, control
component 110, maintenance component 112, and/or other
components.
[0031] In some implementations, client computing device(s) 104 may
include one or more of a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile device,
and/or other devices. A given client computing device(s) 104 may
include one or more of one or more processors configured by
machine-readable instructions, and/or other components.
Machine-readable instructions of a client computing device may
include computer program components. The computer program
components may be configured to enable a user associated with the
given client computing device(s) 104 to interface with system 100,
access point and/or external resources 120, and/or provide other
functionality attributed herein to client computing device(s) 104
and/or server(s) 102.
[0032] In some implementations, server(s) 102, client computing
device(s) 104, and/or external resources 120 may be operatively
linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example,
such electronic communication links may be established, at least in
part, via network 103 such as the Internet and/or other networks.
In some implementations, server(s) 102, client computing device(s)
104, and/or external resources 120 may be operatively linked via
some other communication media.
[0033] Network 103 may be configured as a wireless communication
network, such as a wireless wide-area network (WWAN) or IEEE
802.11-based wireless local area network (WLAN), and/or other
communication network. Network 103 may be configured as an open
network to allow users associated with client devices(s) 104 to
temporarily access wireless communication network.
[0034] Network 103 may be configured using wired and/or wireless
technologies, including cellular networks, Ethernet, and/or other
technologies. Network 103 may be configured using communication
protocols including IEEE 802.11, RF, IrDA (infrared), Bluetooth,
ZigBee (and other variants of the IEEE 802.15 protocol), IEEE
802.11 (any variation), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX or any other variation),
IEEE 802.20, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, GPRS, EDGE, LTE, UMTS, and/or other
communication systems.
[0035] One or more access point may be configured to provide access
to network 103 to client computing devices 104, media content
streaming gateway 122, and/or other devices. Access points may be
configured to allow wireless, wired, and/or other type of
connection with devices. For example, the access point may be
configured as a Wi-Fi router configured to provide wireless and/or
wired access to network 103. Authentication processes may be
implemented to ensure secure and credentialed access onto network
103.
[0036] One or more media content streaming gateway 122 may be
configured to be integrated with media content streaming device 124
within the same unit. Media content streaming gateway 122 with
integrated media content streaming device 124 may be configured to
communicatively couple to one or more access points to effectuate
data communication between media content streaming gateway 122,
media content streaming device 124, and/or other components. Media
content streaming gateway 122 may be configured to couple to the
access point using wireless, wired, and/or other type of
connection.
[0037] Media content streaming gateway 122 may be configured to
provide authenticated users associated with client computing
devices 104 within network 103 with an ability to effectuate
wireless communication with an individual media streaming device,
such as media streaming device 124, housed within media content
streaming gateway 122.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic illustrates media content
streaming gateway 200 configured to provide authenticated users
within a wireless and/or wired network access to media content
streaming device 201. Media content streaming gateway 200 may be
configured to communicatively couple media content streaming device
201 via 217 connector of dongle-type device 215. Media content
streaming gateway 200 may be configured to communicatively couple
to access point 205 via 219 connector of dongle-type device.
[0039] Dongle-type device 215 may be configured to include micro
USB controller 217 and Ethernet controller 219. Micro USB interface
217 may be configured to communicatively couple media content
streaming device 201. Ethernet controller 219 may be configured to
communicatively couple to access point 205.
[0040] Dongle-type device 215 may include a AX8877x USB chipset to
10/100 Fast Ethernet/HomePNA/HomePlug controller and/or other
controller. The AX8877x dongle-type device may have embedded 28 KB
SRAM for packet buffering, a USB interface to communicate with USB
host controller, compliant with USB specification V1.0, V1.1 and
V2.0. AX8877x dongle-type device may implements 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet LAN function based on IEEE802.3, IEEE 802.3u, HomePNA
standard, and/or other standards. The AX8877x dongle-type device
may integrate an on-chip 10/100 Mbps Ethernet PHY. The AX8877x
dongle-type device may be configured to directly receive Ethernet
data may be received via Ethernet controller 219 from wireless
and/or wired communication network via access point 205.
[0041] Media content streaming gateway 122 may be configured to
communicate with the WAN via WAN connector 230. Media content
streaming gateway 122 may be configured to communicate with the LAN
via LAN connector 232.
[0042] Electrical power flow 237 may provide power to media content
streaming device 201. Power regulator 220 may be configured to
control power-on capability of media content streaming device
201.
[0043] Media content streaming device 201 contained within media
content streaming gateway 200 may be configured to communicatively
couple to a media content display device via connector 210.
Connector 210 may be an HDMI connector and/or other connector.
[0044] Antenna 240 may be configured within media content streaming
gateway 200. The circuitry carried by media content streaming
gateway 200 may include a wireless transceiver coupled to antenna
240, antenna 240, and/or other components. Antenna 240 and/or other
components may be configured to operate within specific frequency
bands. Antenna 240 may be configured as a dual-band frequency
antenna. Antenna 240 may be configured to operate in the 2.4 GHz
and 5 GHz frequency bands.
[0045] Referring back to FIG. 1, media content streaming gateway
122 may be configured to a power input for receiving power from an
external source, such as external power supply, a local area
network radio interface, a display interface, a user interface
including at least one of a power switch, a printed circuit board,
a non-transitory memory configured to store instructions, a
processor coupled with memory, and/or other components. The
circuitry of media content streaming gateway 122 may include a
processor, a memory, a wireless transceiver, an antenna, a power
source, and/or other components.
[0046] For example, FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary media content
streaming gateway 322. Media content streaming gateway may be
enclosed in a housing 350. Media content streaming gateway 322 may
include media content streaming device 324, dongle-type device 331
connecting media content streaming device 324, Ethernet connector
360, HDMI connector 325, a power input, local area network radio
interface(s) 354, a power switch, non-transitory memory and
processor 358, and/or other components. Within housing 350 of media
content streaming gateway 322, media content streaming device 324
may be communicatively coupled via a dongle-type device 331 to one
or more components within media content streaming gateway 322. As
illustrated in FIG. 3B, dongle-type device 331 may include micro
USB connector 333, micro USB connector 335, and/or other
connectors.
[0047] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some implementations, some
components of media content streaming gateway 122 may provide paths
by which electrical power flows to media content streaming device
124 eliminating the need for media content streaming device 124 to
have its own on-board power source.
[0048] In some implementations, a user interface of media content
streaming gateway 122 may include a power-on capability. This
capability may be a switch, button, or other method of powering on
and off media content streaming gateway 122. In some embodiments,
this capability may be configured to be accessed via network 103
for remote control of power-on capabilities.
[0049] In some implementations, multiple media content streaming
gateways and/or media content streaming devices may be configured
within a multi-room environment. A multi-room environment may be a
hotel, a hospital, a cruise ship, an educational institution, a
business, and/or other environments. Multiple media content
streaming devices may be configured within multiple locations
within a multi-room environment. Individual locations or rooms
within a multi-room environment may include hotel rooms in a hotel,
cruise ship cabins on a cruise ship, classrooms in an educational
institution, offices within a business establishment, and/or other
locations.
[0050] In some implementations, media content streaming gateway 122
may be configured to act as an access point and provide access to
network 103 to client computing devices 104.
[0051] In some implementations, individual media content streaming
gateways 122 may be configured to provide services to more than one
room or location within a multi-room environment. Alternatively,
multiple media content streaming gateways may be servicing a single
location. In some implementations, individual media content
streaming gateways 122 may have multiple radios, each available to
serve a different guest or communication need.
[0052] Media content streaming device 124 may be configured to
stream media content within network 103. Media content streaming
device 124 may be configured to effectuate the streamed media
content onto media content display device 126. One or more media
content streaming device 124 may be configured to communicatively
couple with media content display device 126. In some
implementations, media content streaming device 124 may be directly
connected to media content display device 126 via an HDMI, a
Universal Serial Bus (USB), and/or other connections. In some
implementations, media content streaming devices 124 may be
connected to media content display device 126 via a cable interface
(e.g., Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) cable interface), and/or
other interface. Media content streaming device 124 may be
communicatively coupled to media content streaming gateway 122. In
some implementations, media content display device 124 may be
configured to be housed outside of media content streaming gateway
122.
[0053] Streamed media content may include media content contained
on authenticated client computing platform 104, a media content
provider available over the Internet, and/or other media content.
Streamed media content may be accessed with authenticated client
computing platforms 104. In some implementations, streamed media
content may be accessed with a streaming application installed on
client computing devices 104.
[0054] In some implementations, one or more media content streaming
device 124 may be configured to be controlled by a network
administrator via network 103. The administrative control upon
media content streaming device 124 may be effectuated via a
wireless network connection, a wired Ethernet connection, and/or by
other connection.
[0055] Media content display device 126 may be configured to
display audio and visual media content transmitted by media content
streaming device 124 and/or other devices. Media content display
device 126 may commonly be referred to as an audio/visual device
(e.g., a television). One or more media content display device 126
may be configured to include at least one of an HDMI connector, a
USB connector, a tuner, auxiliary interface, a processor that
controls audio and visual signal, and/or other components.
[0056] Media content display device 126 may be configured to
receive media content from client computing platforms 104 via media
content streaming device 124 connected to media content display
devices 126 via a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or other connections.
[0057] In some implementations, client computing platforms 104 may
be configured to control the media content displayed on media
content display device 126.
[0058] Referring back to FIG. 1, external resources 120 may include
sources of information, hosts and/or providers of virtual
environments outside of system 100, external entities participating
with system 100, and/or other resources. In some implementations,
some or all of the functionality attributed herein to external
resources 120 may be provided by resources included in system
100.
[0059] Access component 106 may be configured to control user
access to network 103 and/or other communication networks. Network
103 may be used to access the Internet and/or other components.
Access component 106 may be configured to control user requests to
access network 103. Requests to access network 103 may be made by
users via client computing platforms 104 associated with the users,
and/or other devices. Access component 106 may be configured to
connect client computing devices 104 to the Internet through a
wireless, wired and/or other connection to network 103.
[0060] Access component 106 may be configured to receive
authenticating information from users associated with client
computing platforms 104. Access component 106 may be configured to
authenticate users attempting to access network 103 by comparing
authenticating information and/or other parameters received by
users with information stored within system 100. Access component
106 may be configured to allow access to the Internet to users that
have been successfully authenticated.
[0061] Access component 106 may be configured to control access to
media content streaming gateway 122, media content streaming device
124, and/or other devise. Access component 106 may be configured to
control access to media content streaming gateway 122, media
content streaming device 124 by authenticating users associated
with client communication platforms 104 that have been
authenticated to network 103 and/or other communication networks.
Access component 106 may be configured to receive authenticating
information from users associated with client computing platforms
104. Access component 106 may be configured to authenticate users
attempting to access media content streaming gateway 122, media
content streaming device 124, and/or other devices by comparing
authenticating information and/or other parameters received by
users with information stored within system 100. Access component
106 may be configured to allow access to media content streaming
gateway 122, media content streaming device 124, and/or other
devices to users that have been successfully authenticated.
[0062] In some implementations, access component 106 may be
configured to require that users enter authentication information
and/or other parameters to authenticate and establish a wireless
connection to media content streaming gateway 122 via client
computing platforms 104. In some implementations, access component
106 may be configured to require that users enter authentication
information and/or other parameters to a web browser of the client
computing platform 104. Authentication information may include
password, user name, and/or other authenticating information. Other
parameters may include user name, user location, payment
information, and/or other information.
[0063] By way of non-limiting illustration, guests in a multi-room
hotel may wish to access hotel's wireless network using their
wireless devices. Guests attempting to access a wireless
communication network in their hotel room within the hotel may have
to establish a wireless network connection with one or more access
points. Upon establishing the connection, guests may be asked to
provide authenticating information to obtain access to the
Internet, a media content streaming gateway, a media content
streaming device, and/or other services and/or components. Guests
may receive a user name, a password, and/or other authenticating
information upon check-in at a hotel front desk. Guests may
configure their client computing devices with the authenticating
information provided by the hotel. Upon entering their room, a
guest may use a browser on their client computing platform to
connect to and access a wireless network of the hotel, whereupon
the guest could enter their name and room number for further
authentication. Upon authentication, guests may be able to access
the Internet. Guests may be able to access media content streaming
gateway 122, media content streaming device 124, and/or other
devices.
[0064] Streaming component 108 may be configured to effectuate a
wireless and/or wired data transmission via media content streaming
device 124, and/or other transmissions. Streaming component 108 may
be configured to transmit audio visual signals (media content)
corresponding to specified HDMI signals and process the media
content for transmission to media content display device 124.
Streaming component 108 may be configured to effectuate
transmission of media content from authenticated client computing
platform 104 wirelessly connected and/or wired to media content
streaming device 124 via network 103. Streaming component 108 may
be configured to effectuate transmission of media content from the
Internet over network 103.
[0065] Streaming component 108 may be configured to effectuate
media content transmission via media content streaming device 124
coupled to media content streaming gateway 122, as described
elsewhere in this disclosure. The coupling of the media streaming
device 124 to media content streaming gateway 122 which in turn is
communicatively coupled to network 103 via Ethernet connector may
be configured to control access to media content streaming device
124 to users associated with client computing platform 104 that
have been authenticated onto network 103 by access component 106,
and/or other components.
[0066] Streaming component 108 may be configured to manage and/or
control media content streaming gateways, media content streaming
devices, and/or other devices. Streaming component 108 may be
configured to maintain associations between individual media
content streaming gateways and locations within a multi-room
environment. One or more media content streaming gateway may be
associated with one or more locations. Associations between media
content streaming gateway and location may be one or more of
one-to-one, many-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many, and/or other
associations. Streaming component 108 may be configured to control
access between authenticated users at a specific location within
network 103 and media content streaming gateway 122 associated with
the location user has authenticated into.
[0067] By way of non-limiting illustration, a guest in a hotel may
be provided with authentication information upon check-in. Upon
entering a designated room, the guest may access hotel's wireless
network by providing authentication information and/or other
authentication parameters (e.g., guest name, guest room number,
and/or other information). A media content streaming gateway
communicatively coupled to a hotel's wireless and/or wired network
via a WAN connector may be associated with a certain room number.
By authenticating onto hotel's wireless and/or wired network, the
guest may be able to connect to media content streaming device
coupled to a media content streaming gateway associated with
guest's room. Authentication information and/or parameters provided
by the guest matched the authentication parameters stored within
media content streaming gateway. Thus, only users that provide
necessary authentication information and/or parameters may be able
to establish a wireless and/or wired connection to a mobile content
streaming device, for example, for streaming media content
purposes. While other guests may be able to authenticate onto
hotel's wireless and/or wired network using their wireless
communication devices they may not be able to access specific
mobile content streaming gateways and mobile content streaming
devices coupled to mobile content streaming gateways for lack of
additional authentication parameters, such as guest name, guest
room, and/or other authentication parameters.
[0068] Control component 110 may be configured to effectuate
control of media content displayed on media content display device
126 that has been transmitted via media content streaming device
124. Control component 110 may be configured to allow users
associated with authenticated client computing platforms 104 to
interact with media content displayed on media content display
device 126. Control component 110 may be configured to allow user
to select media content using client computing device 104.
[0069] Control component 110 may be configured to effectuate
control of media content displayed on media content display device
126 that has been transmitted via media content streaming device
124 originating from client computing platform. Users may interact
with media content streaming device 124 originating from client
computing platform by selecting a particular media content (e.g., a
movie, a video, a photo album), by effectuating additional input to
the selected media content (e.g., flipping through pictures of the
photo album), and/or other controls.
[0070] Control component 110 may be configured to effectuate
control of media content displayed on media content display device
126 that has been transmitted via media content streaming device
124 originating from media content provider available over the
Internet. Users may interact with media content streaming device
124 originating from the Internet by selecting a particular media
content (e.g., a movie, a video, a video game), by effectuating
additional input to the selected media content (e.g., interacting
with characters within the video game), and/or other controls.
[0071] In some implementations, control component 110 may be
configured to effectuate control of media content displayed on
media content display device 126 that has been transmitted via
media content streaming device 124 by facilitating interaction
between users and the media content. For example, control component
110 may be configured to include a user interface configured to
receive user input from the user. The received user input may
indicate a selectable image, a selectable command, a textual
information, a textual command, a voice command, and/or other
information that facilitates entry or selection of media control
information by the user. By way of non-limiting example, user input
may be received through a client application on the wireless
communication device. An input device may include a key entry
device, a touch entry device, an imaging device, a sound device,
and/or other input devices.
[0072] By way of illustration and non-limiting example, FIG. 4
illustrates an exemplary user interface 400 that may be used to
control media content displayed on a media content display device.
User interface 400 may include user interface fields that allow a
user to provide user input that is received by control component
110 and/or other components of system 100. The user interface
fields may include a textual command field 401, selection fields
402, 403, 404, 405, action field 406, volume level adjustment
fields 407, 408, channel adjustment fields 409, 410, menu field
412, guide field 413, Netflix field 415, and/or other user
interface fields.
[0073] Textual command field 401 may allow the a user to enter
textual, voice, and/or other information when controlling media
content. For example, a user may select field 401 and speak "room
service" to bring a hotel's room service menu. Selection fields
402, 403, 404, and 405 may correspond to allowing a user to select
specific media content during review, browsing and/or while
performing other functions. For example, a user may be interested
in selecting a particular movie from a movie list and may use
selection field 402 to go up to the particular movie within the
movie list. Volume level adjustment fields 407 and 408 may
correspond to allowing a user to increase or decrease a volume of
an audio output of the media content display device. For example,
volume level adjustment field 407 may correspond to allowing user
to increase the volume. Channel adjustment fields 409 and 410 may
correspond to a channel adjustment within a channel guide, a
channel menu, and/or other menu. Menu field 412 may correspond to
allowing a user to view a menu associated with media content. For
example, the menu may include hotel services, games, cable TV,
streaming content, and/or other information. Guide field 413 may
correspond to allowing a user to view a channel guide associated
with media content representing cable TV and/or other information.
Netflix field 415 may correspond to allowing a user to view a media
content associated with Netflix provider. A user may confirm the
selection and/or effectuate media content control command in
accordance with user-provided input through fields 401-415 through
action field 406.
[0074] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some implementations, control
component 110 may be configured to effectuate control of media
content displayed on media content display device 126 that has been
transmitted via media content streaming device 124 by the network
administrator. Control component 110 may be configured to allow
users associated with authenticated client computing platforms 104
to interact with media content displayed on media content display
device 126. For example, a hotel guest may use their wireless
communication device to interact with media content presented by
the hotel. Hotel media content may include room service options,
in-room dining services, restaurant reservation services, check-out
services, payment services, reservation services, and/or other
hotel services. Guest may be able to interact with information
related to services from the available hotel services by selecting
a specific service, ordering room servicer, entering payment
information, providing check-out information, extending
reservations, sending a notification to hotel administration and/or
other interactions.
[0075] Maintenance component 112 may be configured to manage and/or
control media content streaming devices, access points, and/or
other devices. Maintenance component 112 may be configured to
maintain authentication information and/or parameters used to
authenticate users associated with client computing platforms 104
to connect to media content streaming gateway 122, media content
streaming device 124, and/or other device. Maintenance component
112 may be configured to access media content streaming gateway 122
by virtue of media content streaming gateway 122 being
communicatively coupled to an access point and connected to network
103. Maintenance component 112 may be configured to access media
content streaming gateway 122 using WAN, LAN, and/or other type of
connection.
[0076] Maintenance component 112 may be configured to manage
associations between authenticated users within network 103 and
media content streaming devices 124. Maintenance component 112 may
be configured to automatically update and/or reset authentication
information and/or parameters used to access media content
streaming gateway 122 associated with a specific location in a
multi-room environment based on occurrence of certain events and/or
other triggers.
[0077] By way of non-limiting illustration, a guest in a hotel may
be issued a user name and password for accessing hotel's wireless
network. This user name and password issued by the hotel at
check-in may also be configured by maintenance component 112 as the
same authenticating parameters for accessing media content
streaming gateway 122 associated with guest's room. Once user
checks-out of the hotel, maintenance component 112 may be
configured to remove the authentication parameters associated with
that users from accessing media content streaming gateway 122.
[0078] Maintenance component 112 may be configured to monitor power
usage and/or other information associated with media content
streaming gateway 122. media content streaming device 124, and/or
other devices. Maintain component 112 may be configured to obtain
input from a power regulator within media content streaming gateway
122 and/or other component and evaluate media content streaming
device 124 power usage. The power usage evaluation may include a
determination whether a power disruption exists within media
content streaming gateway 122, media content streaming device 122,
and/or other devices. Maintenance component 112 may be configured
to communicate power status and/or other information associated
with media content streaming gateway 122, media content streaming
device 124, and/or other devices. Maintenance component 112 may be
configured to transmit and display a status notification. The power
status notification may be displayed on an administrative user
interface associated with client computing platform 104 and/or
other devise.
[0079] Maintenance component 112 may be configured to monitor
wireless and/or wired communications within network 103.
Maintenance component 112 may be configured to determine whether
disruption within wireless and/or wired communications within
network 103 may have occurred. Maintenance component 112 may be
configured to communicate network status and/or other information.
Maintenance component 112 may be configured to transmit and display
a network status notification. The network status notification may
be displayed on an administrative user interface associated with
client computing platform 104 and/or other devise.
[0080] In some implementations, the maintenance component 112 may
be configured to effectuate monitoring and/or control of media
content streaming devices, access points, and/or other devices by
facilitating interaction between network administrators and the
devices. For example, maintenance component 112 may be configured
to include a user interface configured to display status
information to and receive input from the network administrator.
The displayed status information may include power usage
information, authentication information, network information,
and/or other information. The received network administer input may
indicate a selectable image, a selectable command, a textual
information, a textual command, a voice command, and/or other
information that facilitates entry or selection of device control
information by the network administrator. Device control
information may include power usage information, authentication
information, network information, and/or other information. By way
of non-limiting example, network administrator input may be
received through a client application on the wireless and/or wired
communication device. An input device may include a key entry
device, a touch entry device, an imaging device, a sound device,
and/or other input devices.
[0081] By way of illustration and non-limiting example, FIG. 5
illustrates an exemplary user interface 500 that may be used to
control and monitor media content streaming devices, access points,
and/or other devices by facilitating interaction between network
administrators and the devices. User interface 500 may include user
interface display fields that allow a network administrator to view
status information effectuated by maintenance component 112 and/or
other components of system 100.
[0082] User interface 500 may include user interface fields that
allow a network administrator to provide input that is received by
maintenance component 112 and/or other components of system 100.
The user interface fields may include a display field 501, textual
command field 502, authentication field 503, reset field 505,
and/or other user interface fields.
[0083] Display field 501 may allow the network administrator to
view status information including power usage information,
authentication information, network information. For example, the
network administrator may receive notification displayed in display
field 501 in an event of a certain media content streaming device
being powered off. Textual command field 502 may allow the a
network administrator to enter textual, voice, and/or other
information when controlling and maintaining media content
streaming devices, access points, and/or other devices. For
example, a network administrator may select field 502 and speak
"provide status" to receive status information on certain device
within the network. Authentication field 503 may be configured to
allow a network administrator to modify authentication information
for accessing media content streaming devices, associate media
content with locations in a multi-room environment, and/or other
functions. For example, a network administrator may select field
503 to reset a password associated with a certain media content
streaming devices in response to a hotel guest checking out of the
hotel. Reset field 505 may be configured to allow a network
administrator to re-power certain media content streaming device
and/or other functions. For example, a network administrator may
select field 505 to re-power a media content streaming device in
response to a notification that that media content streaming device
has been powered off.
[0084] In some implementations, maintenance component 112 may be
configured to collect, store, analyze and/or perform other
functions with a data communicated by users associated with client
computing platform 104 to media content streaming device 124. The
data may include media content selected from client computing
platform 104, media content selected from the Internet, user
instructions, and/or other information.
[0085] In some implementations, server(s) 102, client computing
device(s) 104, and/or external resources 120 may be operatively
linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example,
such electronic communication links may be established, at least in
part, via a network 103 such as the Internet and/or other networks.
It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting,
and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in
which server(s) 102, client computing device(s) 104, and/or
external resources 120 may be operatively linked via some other
communication media.
[0086] External resources 120 may include sources of information,
hosts and/or providers of virtual environments outside of system
100, external entities participating with system 100, and/or other
resources. In some implementations, some or all of the
functionality attributed herein to external resources 120 may be
provided by resources included in system 100.
[0087] Server(s) 102 may include electronic storage 128, one or
more processors 124, and/or other components. Server(s) 102 may
include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of
information with a network and/or other computing devices.
Illustration of server(s) 102 in FIG. 1 is not intended to be
limiting. Servers(s) 102 may include a plurality of hardware,
software, and/or firmware components operating together to provide
the functionality attributed herein to server(s) 102. For example,
server(s) 102 may be implemented by a cloud of computing devices
operating together as server(s) 102.
[0088] Electronic storage 128 may include electronic storage media
that electronically stores information. The electronic storage
media of electronic storage 128 may include one or both of system
storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially
non-removable) with server(s) 102 and/or removable storage that is
removably connectable to server(s) 102 via, for example, a port
(e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk
drive, etc.). Electronic storage 128 may include one or more of
optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.),
magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic
hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage
media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g.,
flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage
media. The electronic storage 128 may include one or more virtual
storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network,
and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage 128 may
store software algorithms, information determined by processor(s)
124, information received from server(s) 102, information received
from client computing device(s) 104, and/or other information that
enables server(s) 102 to function as described herein.
[0089] Processor(s) 124 may be configured to provide information
processing capabilities in server(s) 102. As such, processor(s) 124
may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog
processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an
analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine,
and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information.
Although processor(s) 124 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity,
this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations,
processor(s) 124 may include a plurality of processing units. These
processing units may be physically located within the same client
computing device, or processor(s) 124 may represent processing
functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination.
The processor(s) 124 may be configured to execute computer readable
instruction components 106, 108, 110, 112, and/or other components.
The processor(s) 124 may be configured to execute components 106,
108, 110, 112, and/or other components by software; hardware;
firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware;
and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on
processor(s) 124.
[0090] It should be appreciated that although components 106, 108,
110, and 112 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a
single processing unit, in implementations in which processor(s)
124 includes multiple processing units, one or more of components
106, 108, 110, and/or 112 may be located remotely from the other
components. The description of the functionality provided by the
different components 106, 108, 110, and/or 112 described herein is
for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as
any of components 106, 108, 110, and/or 112 may provide more or
less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of
components 106, 108, 110, and/or 112 may be eliminated, and some or
all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of
components 106, 108, 110, and/or 112. As another example,
processor(s) 124 may be configured to execute one or more
additional components that may perform some or all of the
functionality attributed herein to one of components 106, 108, 110,
and/or 112.
[0091] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 60 for controlling media content
with a wireless device in a wireless communication network via a
media content streaming device communicatively coupled to a media
content streaming gateway, in accordance with one or more
implementations. The operations of method 600 presented below are
intended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method 600
may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not
described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed.
Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 600 are
illustrated in FIG. 6 and described below is not intended to be
limiting.
[0092] In some implementations, method 600 may be implemented in
one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an
analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process
information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a
state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically
processing information). The one or more processing devices may
include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations
of method 600 in response to instructions stored electronically on
an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices
may include one or more devices configured through hardware,
firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution
of one or more of the operations of method 600.
[0093] At an operation 602, a user associated with a client
computing platform may be authenticated onto a wireless network. At
an operation 604, a user associated with a client computing
platform connected to a wireless network may be authenticated to
obtain access to a media content streaming device. The
authentication information and/or authentication parameters may
include a user name, a user location and/or other information. In
some implementations, operation 602 and operation 604 may be
performed by one or more physical processors executing an access
component the same or similar to access component 106.
[0094] At an operation 606, an authenticated user may effectuate a
wireless data transmission via a media content streaming device
coupled to a media content Gateway by way of authenticated user's
client computing platform. In some implementations, operation 606
may be performed by one or more physical processors executing an
streaming component the same or similar to streaming component
108.
[0095] At an operation 608, media content transmitted by media
content streaming device and displayed on a media content display
device may be controlled by an authenticated user via user's client
computing platform. In some implementations, operation 408 may be
performed by one or more physical processors executing an
orientation component the same or similar to control component
110.
[0096] At an operation 610, associations between multiple media
content streaming gateway and locations in a multi-room environment
may be maintained. In some implementations, operation 610 may be
performed by one or more physical processors executing a
maintenance component the same or similar to maintenance component
112.
[0097] Although the system(s) and/or method(s) of this disclosure
have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based
on what is currently considered to be the most practical and
preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail
is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited
to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended
to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to
be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the
extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be
combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
* * * * *