Abstract:
A method for distributing multimedia content provides a wireless controller communicatively coupled to each of a multimedia source and a destination. The wireless controller is adapted to perform the steps of communicating with the multimedia source to generate a first display of a plurality of multimedia works available from the multimedia source, facilitating a selection of at least one multimedia work from the first display of the plurality of multimedia works, and upon the selection being made by a user, commanding the multimedia source to send the at least one multimedia work as the streaming multimedia data to the destination.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to the distribution of multimedia content, and, more particularly, to the wireless distribution of multimedia content.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Typically, digital multimedia works, such as music and video, are stored on a server, or provided by a service provider via the Internet. Such digital multimedia works are commonly retrieved from the server or service provider by downloading the multimedia works as streaming multimedia data by using a personal computer (PC) for playback on a digital playback device. In most cases, such digital playback devices are expensive relative to the cost of traditional electronic equipment, such as for example, a stereo receiver, CD player, DVD player, or television.  
           [0005]    What is needed in the art is a method and system for distributing multimedia content that facilitates the convenient selection of multimedia works from a multimedia source and facilitates the playback of the multimedia works using traditional electronic equipment, and does so at a relatively low cost.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides a method and system for distributing multimedia content that facilitates the convenient selection of multimedia works from a multimedia source and facilitates the playback of the multimedia works using traditional electronic equipment, and does so at a relatively low cost.  
           [0007]    The invention, in one form thereof, relates to a method for distributing multimedia content. The method includes the steps of defining a multimedia source for supplying streaming multimedia data; defining a destination for receiving the streaming multimedia data and providing a wireless controller communicatively coupled to each of the multimedia source and the destination. The wireless controller is adapted to perform the steps of communicating with the multimedia source to generate a first display of a plurality of multimedia works available from the multimedia source, facilitating a selection of at least one multimedia work from the first display of the plurality of multimedia works, and upon the selection being made by a user, commanding the multimedia source to send the at least one multimedia work as the streaming multimedia data to the destination.  
           [0008]    In another form thereof, the invention relates to a system for distributing multimedia content. A first wireless interface is adapted to be communicatively coupled to a server device. The server provides access to streaming multimedia data. A second wireless interface is adapted to be communicatively coupled to a multimedia playback unit. A wireless controller is provided for controlling a communication between the first wireless interface, the second wireless interface and the wireless controller. The first wireless interface, the second wireless interface and the wireless controller communicate via a wireless communication standard. The wireless controller is configured to instruct the server to transmit the streaming multimedia data via the first wireless interface. Also, the wireless controller is configured to instruct the second wireless interface to process the streaming multimedia data for playback by the multimedia playback unit. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system embodying the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the multimedia subsystem of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the server/gateway subsystem of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the wireless controller of FIG. 1; and  
         [0014]    FIGS.  5 - 8  are flow charts depicting the operation of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0015]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a wireless communication system  10  embodying the present invention.  
         [0017]    Wireless communications system  10  includes a multimedia subsystem  12 , a server/gateway subsystem  14  and a wireless controller  16 . Multimedia subsystem  12  includes a multimedia system wireless interface  18  and a multimedia receiver  20 . Server/gateway subsystem  14  includes a server/gateway wireless interface  22  and a server/gateway  24 . As used herein, the term “multimedia” will be used to describe media that can be in any of the forms of audio, video, and combined audio/video.  
         [0018]    In FIGS.  1 - 4 , dashed lines represent a wireless communication link, whereas solid lines represent traditional wired communications paths between components. Double-headed arrows represent bidirectional communications. Single headed arrows represent unidirectional communications. Also, two single headed arrows pointing in opposite directions may sometimes be used to signify bi-directional communications.  
         [0019]    Wireless controller  16  is in wireless bidirectional communication with multimedia system wireless interface  18  via a bi-directional wireless communication link  26 . Wireless controller  16  is in wireless bidirectional communication with server/gateway wireless interface  22  via a bidirectional wireless communication link  28 . Multimedia system wireless interface  18  is in wireless bidirectional communication with server/gateway wireless interface  22  via a bidirectional wireless communication link  30 . It is preferred that each of bidirectional wireless communication links  26 ,  28  and  30  is established using a radio frequency (RF) communication standard, such as for example, Bluetooth™, which is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.  
         [0020]    Wireless controller  16  is in wireless bidirectional communication with multimedia receiver  20  via a bidirectional wireless communication link  32 . Wireless communication link  32  may be a standard universal infrared communications link to permit wireless controller  16  to perform standard remote control of common functions of multimedia receiver  20 , such as for example, ON/OFF, playback volume, and tuner/auxiliary input selection. Preferably, wireless controller  16  is a highly mobile hand-held unit.  
         [0021]    Multimedia receiver  20  is communicatively coupled via a communication path  34  to multimedia system wireless interface  18 . Multimedia receiver  20  can be, for example, an audio system or a video system, such as a home stereo, a CD player, a DVD player, a television or a combination thereof.  
         [0022]    Server/gateway  24  is communicatively coupled via a communication path  36  to server/gateway wireless interface  22 . Server/gateway  24  may be, for example, a personal computer (PC) functioning as a multimedia server, and connected to a network  38  via a communication path  40 . In some systems, network  38  represents the Internet. Such an Internet connection permits server/gateway  24  to establish Internet communications with an on-line service provider  42 . Service provider  42  is communicatively coupled to network  38  via communication path  43 . Service provider  42  provides on-line access to multimedia content. As used herein, multimedia content is one or more multimedia works, such as for example, music, videos, or a combination thereof. Thus, server/gateway  24  may function as a server of multimedia content that is located in local memory storage or mass storage available to server/gateway  24 , and in addition, server/gateway  24  may function as a gateway for accessing the multimedia content available from service provider  42 . Accordingly, server/gateway  24  may for sake of convenience be referred to as server  24 . Each of server  24  and service provider  42  are multimedia sources that provide access to multimedia content, and that multimedia content is supplied as streaming multimedia data.  
         [0023]    In general, wireless controller  16  controls the communication between server/gateway wireless interface  22 , multimedia system wireless interface  18  and wireless controller  16 . Wireless controller  16  is configured, for example, to instruct server  24  to transmit the streaming multimedia data via server/gateway wireless interface  22 . In addition, wireless controller  16  is configured to instruct multimedia system wireless interface  18  to process the streaming multimedia data for playback by multimedia receiver  20  that functions as a multimedia playback unit.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of multimedia subsystem  12 . Multimedia receiver  20  is communicatively coupled via a communication path  34  to multimedia system wireless interface  18 . Each of multimedia receiver  20  and multimedia system wireless interface  18  may include, for example, RCA-type connectors to facilitate this communicative coupling. As such, communications path  34  would include corresponding electrical cables to complete the electrical connection.  
         [0025]    Multimedia system wireless interface  18  includes a Bluetooth RF transceiver  44 , a Bluetooth baseband  46 , a digital bit stream decoder  48 , a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter  50  and an audio/video preamplifier  52 . Bluetooth transceiver  44  is electrically coupled to Bluetooth baseband  46  via an electrical path  54 . Bluetooth baseband  46  is electrically coupled to digital bit stream decoder  48  via an electrical path  56 . Digital bit stream decoder  48  is electrically coupled to D/A converter  50  via an electrical path  58 . D/A converter  50  is electrically coupled to audio/video preamplifier  52  via an electrical path  60 .  
         [0026]    Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  is adapted to operate using the Bluetooth RF communications standard. As such, Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  can establish communications with up to seven other Bluetooth RF transceivers. Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  receives via antenna  53 , for example, transmitted streaming multimedia data and control signals. Control of Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  is provided by Bluetooth baseband  46 . Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  passes all signals received from antenna  53  to Bluetooth baseband  46 .  
         [0027]    Bluetooth baseband  46  includes digital logic, and may include a programmable processor, that executes control logic and algorithms to control Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth communications standard. In addition, Bluetooth baseband  46  executes control logic and algorithms to process control commands received from wireless controller  16  via Bluetooth RF transceiver  44 . For example, if wireless controller  16  sends a command to multimedia system wireless interface  18  to enable processing of a particular streaming multimedia data signal, thereby identifying to multimedia receiver  20  the multimedia source, it is Bluetooth baseband  46  that processes the received command, which in turn selects the particular streaming multimedia data signal for further processing by digital bit steam decoder  48 .  
         [0028]    Digital bit steam decoder  48  processes the received streaming multimedia data signal to decode the streaming multimedia data signal. Digital bit steam decoder  48  then formats the decoded streaming multimedia data signal for processing by D/A converter  50 .  
         [0029]    D/A converter  50  converts the formatted streaming multimedia data signal into an analog media signal. D/A converter  50  then sends the analog media signal to audio/video preamplifier  52  for amplification and signal conditioning prior to being supplied to the audio/video input port of multimedia receiver  20  via communication path  34 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of server/gateway subsystem  14 . Server/gateway  24  is communicatively coupled via communication path  36  to server/gateway wireless interface  22 . Server/gateway  24 , such as a personal computer (PC), includes a plurality of peripheral input ports, such as for example, one or more parallel ports, standard serial ports and Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. In one preferred embodiment, communication path  36  represents a USB connecting cable connecting server/gateway wireless interface  22  to server/gateway  24 .  
         [0031]    Server/gateway wireless interface  22  includes a Bluetooth RF transceiver  54 , a Bluetooth baseband  56 , and a processor unit  58 . Bluetooth transceiver  54  is electrically coupled to Bluetooth baseband  56  via an electrical path  60 . Bluetooth baseband  56  is electrically coupled to processor unit  58  via an electrical path  62 .  
         [0032]    Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  is substantially identical in structure to Bluetooth RF transceiver  44 , and is adapted to operate using the Bluetooth RF communications standard. As such, Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  can establish communications with up to seven other Bluetooth RF transceivers. Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  receives, for example, transmitted streaming multimedia data and control signals. Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  can also transmit streaming multimedia data received from server/gateway  24 . Control of Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  is provided by Bluetooth baseband  56 . Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  passes all signals received via antenna  63  to Bluetooth baseband  56 , and transmits all signals received via server/gateway  24  via Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  and antenna  63 .  
         [0033]    Bluetooth baseband  56  includes digital logic, and may include a programmable processor, that executes control logic and algorithms to control Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth communications standard. In addition, Bluetooth baseband  56  executes control logic and algorithms to process control commands received from wireless controller  16  via Bluetooth RF transceiver  54 . For example, if wireless controller  16  sends a command to Server/gateway wireless interface  22  to enable processing of a particular streaming multimedia data signal, it is Bluetooth baseband  56  that processes the received command, which in turn selects the particular streaming multimedia data signal for further processing by processor unit  58 .  
         [0034]    When operating in a data stream receive mode, processor unit  58  of server/gateway wireless interface  22  executes instructions to replicate the functions performed by digital bit steam decoder  48  of multimedia system wireless interface  18  to decode the received streaming multimedia data signal, and formats the decoded streaming multimedia data signal for processing.  
         [0035]    Command data relating to the selection of a multimedia source available via server/gateway  24 , or command data relating to the selection of multimedia works available via server/gateway  24 , are processed by processor unit  58  and forwarded to server/gateway  24  via communications path  36 .  
         [0036]    When operating in a data stream send mode, processor unit  58  of server/gateway wireless interface  22  executes instructions to process the streaming multimedia data received from server/gateway  24  for further processing by Bluetooth baseband  56 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of wireless controller  16 . Wireless controller  16  includes a Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 , a Bluetooth baseband  66 , a processor  68 , a media memory  70 , an output port  72  and a user interface  74 . Bluetooth transceiver  64  is electrically coupled to Bluetooth baseband  66  via an electrical path  76 . Bluetooth baseband  66  is electrically coupled to processor unit  68  via an electrical path  78 . Processor unit  68  is electrically coupled to media memory  70  via an electrical path  80 . Processor unit  68  is electrically coupled to output port  72  via an electrical path  82 . Processor unit  68  is electrically coupled to user interface  74  via an electrical path  84 .  
         [0038]    Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  of wireless controller  16  is substantially identical in structure to Bluetooth RF transceivers  44  and  54 , and is adapted to operate using the Bluetooth RF communications standard. As such, Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  can establish communications with up to seven other Bluetooth RF transceivers. Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  receives, for example, streaming multimedia data transmitted by server/gateway  24 . Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  can also transmit streaming multimedia data retrieved from media memory  70 . Control of Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  is provided by Bluetooth baseband  66 . Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  passes all signals received via antenna  86  to Bluetooth baseband  56 , and transmits all signals via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  and antenna  86 .  
         [0039]    Bluetooth baseband  66  includes digital logic to execute control logic and algorithms to control Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth communications standard. In addition, Bluetooth baseband  66  passes control commands generated by wireless controller  16 , which in turn are forwarded to Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  for transmission. For example, if wireless controller  16  is sending a command to multimedia system wireless interface  18  to enable processing of a particular streaming multimedia data signal, and sending another command to server/gateway wireless interface  22  for retrieving a particular multimedia work from a particular multimedia source, it is Bluetooth baseband  66  that processes the commands to be transmitted, which in turn sends the enable command and selection command to Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 .  
         [0040]    When wireless controller  16  is operating as a system controller, processor unit  68  executes instructions to send command data for transmission by Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . For example, command data may relate to the selection of a multimedia source available via server/gateway  24 , or may relate to the selection of multimedia works available via server/gateway  24 , wherein such command data is transmitted via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  for reception and processing by server/gateway wireless interface  22 . In addition, such command data may relate to the identification of the selected multimedia source device to a destination device, such as multimedia receiver  20 , wherein the command data is transmitted via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  for reception and processing by multimedia system wireless interface  18 .  
         [0041]    When wireless controller  16  is operating as a destination device for receiving streaming multimedia data, processor  68  executes instructions to replicate the functions performed by digital bit steam decoder  48 , D/A converter  50  and audio/video preamplifier  52  of multimedia system wireless interface  18  so as to decode the received streaming multimedia data signal, format the decoded streaming multimedia data signal, convert the formatted streaming multimedia data signal to an analog media signal, amplify the analog media signal, and supply the amplified analog media signal to output port  72 .  
         [0042]    When wireless controller  16  is operating as a multimedia source device, processor unit  68  executes instructions to send enable commands to the destination device to identify wireless controller  16  as the multimedia source device, and to send streaming multimedia data retrieved from media memory  70 , via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . For example, such command data may relate to the identification to multimedia system wireless interface  18  of wireless controller  16  being selected as the multimedia source.  
         [0043]    Output port  72  of wireless controller  16  can accommodate, for example, the connection of a headphone set. Accordingly, the user can easily either sample received streaming multimedia data, or use wireless controller  16  as a playback device to playback multimedia works stored in media memory  70 .  
         [0044]    User interface  74  includes a display unit  88  and an input unit  90 . Display unit  88  includes a monitor screen, such as for example an LCD screen. Input unit  90  can be, for example, a touch screen made integral with display unit  88 , or may be a keypad, track ball, pointer, or other input device. Computer code executed by processor  68  generates menu displays on the display screen of display unit  88 . Such displays may include, for example, available multimedia sources, multimedia works available from those sources, and multimedia destinations. By user interaction via input unit  90 , a user can make desired selections, such as for example, of a desired multimedia source, a particular multimedia work of a plurality of multimedia works, and a desired playback destination.  
         [0045]    FIGS.  5 - 8  are flow charts depicting the operation of the present invention.  
         [0046]    At step S 100 , a user starts the process of the invention initially through a power on reset, which can be effected automatically by applying power to wireless controller  16 . Alternatively, a user can effect a manual reset of wireless controller  16  by pressing the appropriate key on input unit  90 .  
         [0047]    At step S 102 , processor  68  generates a main menu display screen on display unit  88 . The main menu will identify a multitude of control options available to the user via wireless controller  16 . The main menu may include, for example, a submenu that will list multimedia sources available, a submenu that lists multimedia works available from a particular multimedia source, and a submenu that will list multimedia destinations. The process then proceeds to step S 104 .  
         [0048]    At step S 104 , a submenu of multimedia sources is generated from which the user can select the desired multimedia source to investigate. The submenu of multimedia sources is generated as follows. Upon selection of the submenu of multimedia sources by entry of an appropriate input by the user via input unit  90 , such as a media source options input, wireless controller  16  generates a query that is broadcast via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  to other Bluetooth RF transceivers within the operating range of Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . Any Bluetooth based devices, such as server  24 , within the transmission range of the broadcast will respond by identifying any multimedia source available via the responding wireless interface. For example, through software running on server/gateway  24 , server/gateway wireless interface  22  will respond with a list of multimedia sources, such as server (PC)  24  and service provider  42 . In addition, if media memory  70 , such as a multimedia card or mini-CD, is installed in wireless controller  16 , wireless controller  16  will automatically be listed as a multimedia source.  
         [0049]    Alternatively, step S 104  can be effected by storing a preprogrammed list of multimedia sources in a memory of processor  68  of wireless controller  16 .  
         [0050]    The generated submenu of available multimedia sources is then displayed on display unit  88  of wireless interface  16 . From the generated list, the user selects the desired multimedia source by entry of an appropriate input via input unit  90 , such as a multimedia source device selected input.  
         [0051]    At step S 106 , a submenu of multimedia works available from the selected multimedia source is generated and is displayed on display unit  88 . The submenu of multimedia works is generated as follows.  
         [0052]    If wireless controller  16  is selected as the multimedia source by entry of an appropriate input by the user via input unit  90 , then a list of multimedia works stored in media memory  70  is generated and displayed.  
         [0053]    If the selected multimedia source is other than wireless controller  16 , then upon selection of the desired multimedia source by entry of an appropriate input by the user via input unit  90 , wireless controller  16  generates another query that is broadcast via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  to the Bluetooth RF transceiver corresponding to the selected multimedia source.  
         [0054]    If, for example, server  24  is selected as the multimedia source, the query is received at server/gateway wireless interface  22  and processed by server  24 . Through software running on server  24 , server  24  compiles a list of multimedia works available from server  24 . Server  24  then forwards the complied list to server/gateway wireless interface  22 , which in turn transmits the list of multimedia works via Bluetooth transceiver  54 . Wireless controller  16  then receives the compiled list and generates the submenu of media works available from server  24 .  
         [0055]    If, for example, service provider  42  is selected as the multimedia source, the query is received at server/gateway wireless interface  22  and processed by server  24 . Through software running on server  24 , server  24  sends query packets via network  38  to service provider  42 , which in turn responds with a list of multimedia works available from service provider  42 . Server  24  then forwards the list of multimedia works to server/gateway wireless interface  22 , which in turn transmits the list of multimedia works via Bluetooth transceiver  54 . Wireless controller  16  then receives the compiled list and generates the submenu of multimedia works available from service provider  42 .  
         [0056]    From the generated submenu of multimedia works available from a selected multimedia source, the user can select at least one multimedia work from the plurality of multimedia works by entry of an appropriate input via input unit  90 , such as a media work selected input.  
         [0057]    Following step S 106 , the process continues in one of process branches S 200 , S 300  or S 400 . Process branch S 200  is pursued if server (PC)  24  was selected as the multimedia source. Process branch S 300  is pursued if service provider  42  was selected as the multimedia source. Process branch S 400  is pursued if wireless controller  16  was selected as the multimedia source. The process associated with each of process branches S 200 , S 300  and S 400  is described below.  
         [0058]    If server (PC)  24  was selected as the multimedia source, then the process continues at step S 202  (see FIG. 6). At step S 202 , a submenu of multimedia destinations is generated from which the user can select the desired multimedia destination. The submenu of multimedia destinations is generated as follows. Upon selection of the submenu of multimedia destinations by entry of an appropriate input by the user via input unit  90 , wireless controller  16  generates a query that is broadcast via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  to other Bluetooth RF transceivers within the operating range of Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . Any Bluetooth based devices, such as multimedia receiver  20  and server  24 , within the transmission range of the broadcast will respond by identifying itself as being an available multimedia destination. In addition, wireless controller  16  is automatically listed as a multimedia destination. The list of available multimedia destinations is then displayed on display unit  88 .  
         [0059]    At step S 204 , it is determined whether server  24  was selected as the destination.  
         [0060]    If the result of the decision at step S 204  is YES, then at step S 206  wireless controller  16  transmits a command to server  24  via server/gateway wireless interface  22  for server  24  to play back the selected multimedia work. The process then returns to step S 102  (FIG. 5).  
         [0061]    If the result of the decision at step S 204  is NO, then at step S 208  wireless controller  16  identifies the multimedia source to the selected destination.  
         [0062]    If the destination is wireless controller  16 , then wireless controller  16  prepares for receiving the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 .  
         [0063]    If the destination is multimedia receiver  20 , then wireless controller  16  sends an enable command to multimedia system wireless interface  18  to identify to multimedia system wireless interface  18  that server (PC)  24  is the selected multimedia source. The enable command in turn is processed by Bluetooth baseband  46 . Bluetooth baseband  46  then responds by preparing multimedia system wireless interface  18  to receive via Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data for further processing and signal conditioning by multimedia system wireless interface  18 .  
         [0064]    At step S 210 , wireless controller  16  sends a command to the multimedia source device, in this case server (PC)  24 , to send the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data via server/gateway wireless interface  22 . The selected destination then receives, processes and plays back the selected multimedia work. If multimedia receiver  20  was the selected destination, then the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data is received and processed at multimedia system wireless interface  18  for playback by multimedia receiver  20 . If the destination is wireless controller  16 , then wireless controller  16  receives the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 , performs processing and signal conditioning, and supplies an analog signal corresponding to the multimedia selection to output port  72 .  
         [0065]    The process then returns to step S 102  (FIG. 5).  
         [0066]    If service provider  42  was selected as the multimedia source, then the process continues at step S 302  (see FIG. 7). At step S 302 , a submenu of multimedia destinations is generated from which the user can select the desired multimedia destination. The submenu of multimedia destinations is generated as follows. Upon selection of the submenu of multimedia destinations by entry of an appropriate input by the user via input unit  90 , wireless controller  16  generates a query that is broadcast via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  to other Bluetooth RF transceivers within the operating range of Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . Any Bluetooth based devices, such as multimedia receiver  20  and server  24 , within the transmission range of the broadcast will respond by identifying itself as being an available multimedia destination. In addition, wireless controller  16  is automatically listed as a multimedia destination. The list of available multimedia destinations is then displayed on display unit  88 .  
         [0067]    At step S 304 , it is determined whether server  24  was selected as the destination.  
         [0068]    If the result of the decision at step S 304  is YES, then at step S 306  wireless controller  16  transmits a command to server  24  via server/gateway wireless interface  22  for server  24  to retrieve the selected multimedia work from service provider  42  and play back the retrieved multimedia work. Service provider  42  supplies the multimedia work as streaming multimedia data via network  38  to server  24  for playback by server  24 . The process then returns to step S 102  (FIG. 5).  
         [0069]    If the result of the decision at step S 304  is NO, then at step S 308  wireless controller  16  identifies the multimedia source to the selected destination.  
         [0070]    If the destination is wireless controller  16 , then wireless controller  16  prepares for receiving the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 .  
         [0071]    If the destination is multimedia receiver  20 , then wireless controller  16  sends an enable command to multimedia system wireless interface  18  to identify to multimedia system wireless interface  18  that service provider  42  is the selected multimedia source. The enable command in turn is processed by Bluetooth baseband  46 . Bluetooth baseband  46  then responds by preparing multimedia system wireless interface  18  to receive via Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data for further processing and signal conditioning by multimedia system wireless interface  18 .  
         [0072]    At step S 310 , wireless controller  16  sends a command server (PC)  24  to retrieve the selected multimedia work from service provider  42 .  
         [0073]    At step S 312 , the retrieved multimedia work is then sent as streaming multimedia data via server/gateway wireless interface  22 . The process then returns to step S 102  (FIG. 5).  
         [0074]    If wireless controller  16  was selected as the multimedia source, then the process continues at step S 402  (see FIG. 8). At step S 402 , a submenu of multimedia destinations is generated from which the user can select the desired multimedia destination. The submenu of multimedia destinations is generated as follows. Upon selection of the submenu of multimedia destinations by entry of an appropriate input by the user via input unit  90 , wireless controller  16  generates a query that is broadcast via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64  to other Bluetooth RF transceivers within the operating range of Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . Any Bluetooth based devices, such as multimedia receiver  20  and server  24 , within the transmission range of the broadcast will respond by identifying itself as being an available multimedia destination. In addition, wireless controller  16  is automatically listed as a multimedia destination. The list of available multimedia destinations is then displayed on display unit  88 .  
         [0075]    At step S 404 , it is determined whether wireless controller  16  was selected as the destination.  
         [0076]    If the result of the decision at step S 404  is YES, then wireless controller serves as both the multimedia source and the multimedia destination. At step S 406  wireless controller  16  internally generates a command to retrieve the selected multimedia work from media memory  70 , which in turn is supplied as streaming multimedia data to processor  68 , which in turn provides processing and signal conditioning for delivery of the selection to output port  72 . The process then returns to step S 102  (FIG. 5).  
         [0077]    If the result of the decision at step S 404  is NO, then at step S 408  wireless controller  16  identifies the multimedia source to the selected destination.  
         [0078]    If the destination is multimedia receiver  20 , then wireless controller  16  sends an enable command to multimedia system wireless interface  18  to identify to multimedia system wireless interface  18  that wireless controller  16  is the selected multimedia source. The enable command in turn is processed by Bluetooth baseband  46 . Bluetooth baseband  46  then responds by preparing multimedia system wireless interface  18  to receive via Bluetooth RF transceiver  44  the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data for further processing and signal conditioning by multimedia system wireless interface  18 .  
         [0079]    If the destination is server  24 , then wireless controller  16  transmits an enable command to server/gateway wireless interface  22  to identify to multimedia system server/gateway wireless interface  22  that wireless controller  16  is the selected multimedia source. The enable command in turn is processed by Bluetooth baseband  56 . Bluetooth baseband  56  then responds by preparing server/gateway wireless interface  22  to receive via Bluetooth RF transceiver  54  the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data for further processing and signal conditioning by server/gateway wireless interface  22 .  
         [0080]    At step S 410 , wireless controller  16  sends the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data via Bluetooth RF transceiver  64 . The selected destination then receives, processes and plays back the selected multimedia work. If multimedia receiver  20  was the selected destination, then the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data is received and processed at multimedia system wireless interface  18  for playback by multimedia receiver  20 . If server  24  was the selected destination, then the selected multimedia work as streaming multimedia data is received and processed at server/gateway wireless interface  22  for playback at server  24 .  
         [0081]    The process then returns to step S 102  (FIG. 5).  
         [0082]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.