Abstract:
An apparatus for providing wireless media access and storage and method thereof are described. Data values and program code are stored in a data store in a general purpose memory. The general purpose memory includes a plurality of randomly accessible memory locations. Session-based communication connectivity is provided via a wireless interface with a wireless information service in accordance with a wireless protocol. A user interface is exported. The user interface includes inputs controls receiving user instructions and output channels capable of media playback. A processor is operatively coupled to the data store, the wireless interface, and the user interface. An operating system is executed responsive to user instructions received via the input controls. The data values and the program code maintained in the data store are cooperatively processed. Media content is received via the wireless information service through the wireless interface for transitory storage in the data store. The media content is played on the output channels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/174,309, filed Jan. 3, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to wireless media access and storage and, in particular, to a portable apparatus for providing wireless media access and storage and method thereof.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Television is among the most widely available form of video mass communications in use today. The basic format of television is relatively mature, consisting primarily of transmission stations sending programming signals to passive receivers or “sets.” Program selection is limited to those channels “aired” by licensed broadcasters. Cable- and satellite-based programming have recently introduced limited user-tailorable options, including services such as video-on-demand, using set-top box and telephonic purchasing options.  
           [0004]    Television viewing is a static, non-interactive activity. Conversely, online information services, such as available through Internet service providers, offer fully interactive services, including media content storage and retrieval facilities. Most standard personal computer browsers allow a user to select, download, and view audio and video content. As well, “live” content is becoming increasingly available through pulsed, streaming and related media retrieval formats.  
           [0005]    Cellular and similar forms of wireless voice communication have begun to expand into the digital data delivery markets. For instance, microbrowsers are being integrated into cellular telephone display panels to enable users to retrieve textual data in an extremely abbreviated format. While interactive, hybrid cellular telephones are limited to conventional textual data content and lack integration with television and video programming.  
           [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for an approach to providing portable wireless access to audio and video media that includes a high degree of customizability and user interactivity. Such an approach would preferable include both wireless access and storage means and allow interaction with other non-fixed information sources, such as outdoor media, including billboards and similar informal informational devices.  
           [0007]    There is a further need for a flexible approach to remote wireless audio and video access. Such an approach would allow either an integrated or modular wireless connection scheme.  
           [0008]    There is a further need for an approach to enabling remote video editing and production on a wireless connected device. Such an approach would preferably include video recordation means, such as using an external digital camera arrangement.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a portable, handheld device and method for transacting wireless communications sessions for media retrieval and access. The handheld device includes processing logic to initiate and carry out a wireless communications session with a wireless information service. A user operates the handheld device using input controls and downloaded video and audio media is played back to the user on a display panel.  
           [0010]    An embodiment of the present invention is a portable apparatus for providing wireless media access and storage and method thereof. Data values and program code are stored in a data store in a general purpose memory. The general purpose memory includes a plurality of randomly accessible memory locations. Session-based communication connectivity is provided via a wireless interface with a wireless information service in accordance with a wireless protocol. A user interface is exported. The user interface includes inputs controls receiving user instructions and output channels capable of media playback. A processor is operatively coupled to the data store, the wireless interface, and the user interface. An operating system is executed responsive to user instructions received via the input controls. The data values and the program code maintained in the data store are cooperatively processed. Media content is received via the wireless information service through the wireless interface for transitory storage in the data store. The media content is played on the output channels.  
           [0011]    Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein is described embodiments of the invention by way of illustrating the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a wireless computing environment, including an apparatus for providing wireless media access and storage in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the front of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan and elevation views, respectively, of the scroll control buttons of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an elevation view showing the back of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the back of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a plug-in wireless module attached.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the functional components of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a method for providing wireless media access and storage in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a billboard interface.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a set top box interface.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a client-server video production and editing interface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a wireless computing environment  10 , including an apparatus for providing wireless media access and storage (MASD)  11 , in accordance with the present invention. The media access and storage apparatus  11  includes a data store, a wireless interface, a user interface, and a processor, as further described below with reference to FIG. 6. The apparatus  11  initiates and carries out a communications session via the wireless interface through a subscribed wireless information service, such as a cellular telephone connection  13 . Preferably, the apparatus  11  is continuously scanning for other similarly equipped systems within the immediate area, as well as for outdoor media, including billboards and similar informal informational devices. Thus, the apparatus  11  is able to automatically detect other compatible devices and can form a mini local area network. The user could then interact with other participating systems. In the described embodiment, the apparatus has a range of approximately 100 feet, although other suitable distances are feasible.  
         [0023]    The wireless communications session  13  could also operate over a subscribed wireless data communications network, such as offered by Ricochet wireless data service, offered by Metricom, Inc., San Jose, Calif. Alternatively, the wireless session  13  could be provided via a frequency modulation (FM) radio sideband carrier frequency that would provide a pervasive secondary channel for data exchange. The user could also manually select the FM radio sideband carrier frequency as a primary wireless information service. Finally, the wireless communications session could operate in a dynamically load balanced and pulsed media distribution network using file segmentation, such as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Dynamically Load Balanced And Pulsed Media Distribution Network Architecture,” filed Jan. 2, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0024]    The wireless session  13  interfaces to a wireless server  14  interconnected to an internetwork  12 , such as the Internet, via a conventional high speed network connection. Through the wireless server  14 , the apparatus  11  can forward requests for and retrieve media content stored or made available through a conventional server  15 . Recorded media content is stored in a media database  16  coupled to the server  15 . Alternatively, “live” media content can be retrieved from services offering pulsed, streaming or similar audio or video content delivery.  
         [0025]    In the described embodiment, the wireless communications session  13  is transacted in accordance with a standard wireless protocol, such as the Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), Nokia Wireless Protocol, Motorola Wireless Protocol, Lucent signal array standard, Bluetooth protocol, and the IEEE 802.11 standard. Other forms of wireless communications sessions could also be utilized herein, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is an elevation view  20  showing the front of the apparatus  11  of FIG. 1. The apparatus  11  is constructed in a portable, handheld form factor  21  with a plurality of input controls and output channels, preferably having an ornamental design such as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Wireless Media Access And Storage Apparatus,” filed Jan. 2, 2001, pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. A power switch  22  controls the operation of the apparatus  11 . A set of control buttons  23 - 26  respectively initiate the scheduling, contact management, menu selection, and notation functions. An option control button  29  activates a user option selection menu. Pressing each control button  23 - 26  causes the execution of an associated application, the results of which are displayed on a screen display  31 .  
         [0027]    In addition, a pair of “Up” and “Down” scroll control buttons  27 ,  28 , respectively, allow a user to vertically scroll through the contents of a screen display  31 . As shown with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the “Up” scroll control button  27  toggles along a transverse pivot  37  to allow dual actuation motion. Similarly, the “Down” scroll control button  28  toggles along a transverse pivot  38  to also allow dual actuation motion. A set of domed surfaces  39   a - c  on each end of the “Up” and “Down” scroll control buttons  27 ,  28  aid a user in selecting a toggle action. In the described embodiment, pressing the “Up” scroll control button  27  on the first domed surface  39   a  causes an upward screen scrolling action while pressing the “Down” scroll control button  38  on the third domed surface  39   c  causes a downward screen scrolling action. Pressing the second domed surface  39   b  on both buttons activates a main menu. Returning to FIG. 2, audio inputs can be received through a pinhole microphone  30  for recordation and processing and played back through a speaker (shown in FIG. 5). Video can be received and sent through a composite, preferably RCA-style, video port  34 . Serial devices can interconnect to the apparatus  11  via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port  35 . Finally, audio can be output through a mini stereo jack  36 . Other arrangements of communications and data ports are feasible.  
         [0028]    The apparatus  11  can be docked to a base station using a docking port  33 . The individual docking pins preferably back slide into the housing of the apparatus  11  to reveal full length, thin PCB modules.  
         [0029]    Finally, in the described embodiment, the apparatus  11  is configured with a plug-in wireless module (shown in FIG. 5) that includes a telescoping (or fixed) antenna  32 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is an elevation view showing the back  40  of the apparatus  11  of FIG. 1. The apparatus  11  includes a modular expansion port  41  with a plurality of connection pins  42 . The modular expansion port  41  allows flexible addition of function modules, such as a plug-in wireless module, as further described below with reference to FIG. 5. The connection pins  42  can be via a proprietary arrangement or in conformity with industry standard practice. The apparatus  11  also includes a speaker  43 , preferably consisting of a pizzo electric element, with which to reproduce recorded sound.  
         [0031]    In the described embodiment, a plug-in wireless module  45  is fitted into a modular expansion port  41  on the apparatus  11  to provide wireless communications capabilities as shown with reference to FIG. 5. The wireless module  45  preferably includes a flat telescoping flat antenna  32 . Different wireless modules  45  are employed, depending on the wireless protocol employed. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), a conventional cellular telephone adapter cable is connected between the docking port  33  (shown in FIG. 2) and a cellular telephone to enable the apparatus  11  to directly transact a wireless communications session.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram  60  showing the functional components of the apparatus  11  of FIG. 1. The apparatus  11  consists of ten principal components interconnected over a common bus  61 . For simplicity, power supply components have been omitted for clarity, although one skilled in the art would recognize that a power supply and similar functional elements would necessarily be included as part of an actual implementation.  
         [0033]    A processor  62  executes program code responsive to user instructions received via the input controls  23 - 27  (shown in FIG. 2). The program code and data values are stored in a random access memory (RAM)  63  consisting of dynamic random memory integrated circuit components. The operation of the apparatus  11  is controlled by an operating system and a library of support functions stored in a read only memory (ROM)  64 . The ROM  64  also includes a serial number to uniquely identify the apparatus  11  for use in automatic recognition and participation with outdoor media and similar informal informational devices, as further described below with reference to FIG. 6.  
         [0034]    As described, the processor  62  operates at 166 MHz or faster and the RAM  63  and ROM  64  have capacities of eight megabytes and sixteen megabytes, respectively. The RAM  63  can preferably be configured to store up to twelve minutes of video. The RAM  63  can include memory configurations including Smart Card, Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and conventional RAM IC technology, as well as other arrangements, topologies, and configurations. A rechargeable battery, such as a lithium cell, is provided.  
         [0035]    In addition to the core functionality provided by the processor  62  and RAM  63  and ROM  64 , several additional components augment the apparatus  11  with media access and storage capabilities. A display  65  capable of providing media playback is coupled to the processor  62 , preferably supporting a color display with a minimum resolution of 320×240 pixels and thousands of colors. A black and white or grayscale display could also be used.  
         [0036]    In addition, circuitry for input and output (I/O) ports  66 , the expansion module port  67 , a digital signal processing (DSP) chip  68 , a transceiver  69 , a proximity sensor  70 , and FM radio sideband carrier frequency support  71 , are also coupled to the processor  62 .  
         [0037]    In the described embodiment, the I/O ports  66  include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and proprietary docking pins configured to allow the apparatus  11  to dock into a downloading station (not shown). These docking pins allow information stored in the RAM  63  to be retrieved and modified and the ROM  64  to be reprogrammed. The DSP chip  68  is used to process retrieved media, particularly audio and video media. The transceiver  69  allows the apparatus  11  to transact a wireless communications session with a remote wireless device. The proximity sensor  70  and transceiver  69  cooperatively enable the apparatus  11  to recognize and initiate a communications session with other compatible devices, including similarly equipped systems, SmartCards, outdoor media and similar informal informational devices, as further described below with reference to FIG. 8. Finally, FM radio sideband carrier frequency support  71  is provided to allow communication over a secondary communications channel.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a method  140  for providing wireless media access and storage in accordance with the present invention. The primary function of apparatus  11  is to access and store media, particularly video media. The apparatus  11  operates under the control of an embedded operating system which, in the described embodiment, is based on the Palm operating system, licensed by Palm, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif.  
         [0039]    The apparatus  11  first initializes by loading the operating system (block  141 ). Next, user requests received via the control buttons  23 - 27  (block  142 ), are iteratively processed, as follows. If the request is a video request (block  143 ), the apparatus  11  initiates a wireless communications session with a video server (block  144 ) and requests the video. The requested video is received (block  145 ) by a data stream or similar downloading process, after which the wireless communications session is disconnected (block  146 ). Finally, the video is played on the screen display  29  (block  147 ). Alternatively, if the request is not a video request (block  142 ), the request is processed (block  148 ), as appropriate. The iterative processing loop (blocks  142 - 148 ) is repeated as long as more user requests are presented (block  149 ), after which the method terminates.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a billboard interface  170 . The proximity sensor  70  and FM radio sideband carrier frequency support  71  (shown in FIG. 6) enable the apparatus  11  to automatically detect SmartCard and outdoor media devices and to initiate a wireless communications session. In the described embodiment, a billboard  171  is equipped with an emitter  172 , preferably operating on a FM radio sideband carrier frequency. The billboard  171  is optionally interfaced via land lines with a dial-up or dedicated network connection.  
         [0041]    When within a suitable proximity of the emitter  172  for wireless communication, the apparatus  11  notifies the user who can optionally connect with the billboard  171  and transact a purchase, conduct a dialog, or engage in an interactive session. Alternatively, the billboard  171  could operate as a cellular telephone array or similar wireless carrier. As well, any other form of indoor or outdoor media could be used in lieu of the billboard  171 , including a bus kiosk, bus aisle sign, tee shirts, or other forms of advertising or communications.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a set top box interface  180 . Through the composite video port  44  (shown in FIG. 2), the apparatus  11  can function as a wireless video interface to a conventional black and white or color television set  181 . A composite video cable  182  interconnects the apparatus  11  to the television set  181  to provide a live video feed for full screen playback.  
         [0043]    Finally, FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a client-server video production and editing interface  190 . A CMOS camera device  191  can be integrated into the apparatus  11  via the modular expansion port  41  (shown in FIG. 4). The camera device  191  includes a CCD optical pickup with user-operable lens  192 . Video recorded by the camera device  191  is stored in the apparatus  11  and can be edited and manipulated with the assistance of the DSP chip  68  (shown in FIG. 6).  
         [0044]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described as referenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.