Patent Publication Number: US-10785362-B2

Title: Enhanced video sharing

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority from, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/882,171, filed on Sep. 14, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to video sharing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to video sharing between mobile and/or landline devices for live and pre-recorded video content. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mobile devices, such as cellular telephones, are more and more ubiquitous in today&#39;s world. More powerful mobile devices with advanced features, such as smartphones having voice and data capabilities, enable various types of communication services beyond the traditional voice calls. Mobile devices are now an important tool for both business and personal uses. 
     In many instances, a user desires to share video content with another user. While video sharing exists, the current systems and methods contain many limitations. For instance, video sharing may require supported phones on special networks or may require first uploading the video to a website. Sharing video, for example, on social networking sites requires many steps. For instance, the user must upload a video to the site, copy a link to the video, and send the link to the other party before the other party can even start watching the video. With slow upload speeds this may become very time consuming for the user. Additionally, when uploading to a social networking site, there is very little control over the video. For instance, the user cannot always control who can watch the video and when. The video is often available for a long period of time and to a large group of people. The user is not often aware of who viewed the video and when. 
     What is therefore needed is a device, system, or method to easily share video in real-time during a multimedia call (e.g. voice, audio, text-based instant messaging, etc.). 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure solves the above problems by sharing video between devices during a voice call. In exemplary embodiments, a sending party and a receiving party can view a video during the voice call, enabling a live discussion of the video. During a connected voice call between a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the first mobile device signals to an application server the desire to share a video with the second mobile device. The application server determines the settings and preferences of each device as well as a location of the video. The application server appropriately instructs a media server to obtain the video and transcode the video for delivery to the second mobile device, the first mobile device, and/or an external display device. The external display device is a device at the same location as the second mobile device which may receive the video instead of or in addition to the second mobile device. The media server communicates with the first mobile device, the second mobile device, and/or the external display device over a network to obtain and deliver the video. The video may be streamed to the media server from the first mobile device or the media server may otherwise locate the video from within the network. The media server streams the video to the second mobile device, the first mobile device, and/or the external display device. 
     The present disclosure provides a better user experience to both the sending party and the receiving party than current methods of video sharing. For example, the number of steps of operation required by each of the parties is drastically reduced. Further, each party can use a mobile device or external display device based on the current location of the party&#39;s mobile device, the current activity, the time of day, etc. Sharing a video during a voice call also provides a stronger notion of who can view the video and at what time. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a mobile device for receiving a shared video for a recipient having multiple video output devices includes a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, a display in communication with the processor, an input in communication with the processor, a transceiver in communication with the processor, and a video logic on the memory. The video logic is configured to receive a request to share a video with the recipient, determine that the video should be sent to a video output device, and send a request to send the video to the video output device. The mobile device is connected in a voice call and the video is streamed to the video output device. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a system for relaying a shared video across a network to a recipient having multiple video output devices includes a network, a first mobile device in communication with the network, a second mobile device in communication with the network, a video output device in communication with the network, an application server in communication with the network, and a media server in communication with the network. The application server includes configuration logic to receive a request from the first mobile device to share a video, determine that the video should be sent to the video output device, and instruct the media server to stream the video to the video output device. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method for relaying a shared video across a network to a recipient having a plurality of video output devices includes receiving a request from a first mobile device to share a video with a second mobile device connected in a voice call with the first mobile device. The first mobile device and the second mobile device are connected to the network. The method includes determining that the video should be sent to a video output device, where the video output device is connected to the network. The method also includes streaming the video to the video output device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for enhanced video sharing during a voice connection. 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of external components of an embodiment of a mobile device. 
         FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of an internal components of an embodiment of a mobile device. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of a mobile device in proximity to an external display device. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a mobile device communicating with a television with a set-top box to display a video on the television. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a method for sharing a video between mobile devices during a voice call. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram for video sharing between mobile devices. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile device, where a display shows an interface for programming settings for using an external display device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure presents devices, systems, and methods for sharing video between devices during a voice call. In exemplary embodiments, a sending party and a receiving party can view a video during the voice call, enabling a live discussion of the video. During a connected voice call between a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the first mobile device signals to an application server the desire to share a video with the second mobile device. The application server determines the settings and preferences of each device as well as a location of the video. The application server appropriately instructs a media server to obtain the video and transcode the video for delivery to the second mobile device, the first mobile device, and/or an external display device. The external display device is a device at the same location as the second mobile device. The external display may receive the video instead of or in addition to the second mobile device. The media server communicates with the first mobile device, the second mobile device, and/or the external display device over a network to obtain and deliver the video. The video may be streamed to the media server from the first mobile device or the media server may otherwise locate the video from within the network. The media server streams the video to the second mobile device, the first mobile device, and/or the external display device. 
     Use of the present disclosure enables a better user experience to both the sending party and the receiving party than current methods of video sharing. For example, the number of steps of operation required by each of the parties is drastically reduced. Further, each party can use a mobile device or external display device based on the current location of the party&#39;s mobile device, the current activity, the time of day, etc. Sharing a video during a voice call also provides a stronger notion of who can view the video and at what time. 
     “Mobile device”, as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to any electronic device capable of wirelessly sending and receiving data. A mobile device may have a processor, a memory, a transceiver, an input, and an output. Examples of mobile devices include cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, etc. The memory stores applications, software, or logic. Examples of processors are computer processors (processing units), microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers and microcontrollers, etc. Examples of device memories that may comprise logic include RAM (random access memory), flash memories, ROMS (read-only memories), EPROMS (erasable programmable read-only memories), and EEPROMS (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories). 
     “Logic” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to any information having the form of instruction signals and/or data that may be applied to direct the operation of a processor. Logic may be formed from signals stored in a device memory. Software is one example of such logic. Logic may also be comprised by digital and/or analog hardware circuits, for example, hardware circuits comprising logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations. Logic may be formed from combinations of software and hardware. On a network, logic may be programmed on a server, or a complex of servers. A particular logic unit is not limited to a single logical location on the network. 
     Mobile devices communicate with each other and with other elements via a network, for instance, a wireless network, or a wireline network. A “network” can include broadband wide-area networks such as cellular networks, local-area networks (LAN), and personal area networks, such as near-field communication (NFC) networks including BLUETOOTH®. Communication across a network is preferably packet-based; however, radio and frequency/amplitude modulations networks can enable communication between mobile devices using appropriate analog-digital-analog converters and other elements. Communication is enabled by hardware elements called “transceivers.” Mobile devices may have more than one transceiver, capable of communicating over different networks. For example, a cellular telephone can include a cellular transceiver for communicating with a cellular base station, a Wi-Fi transceiver for communicating with a Wi-Fi network, and a BLUETOOTH® transceiver for communicating with a BLUETOOTH® device. A network typically includes a plurality of elements that host logic for performing tasks on the network. 
     In modern packet-based wide-area networks, servers may be placed at several logical points on the network. Servers may further be in communication with databases and can enable communication devices to access the contents of a database. Billing servers, application servers, etc. are examples of such servers. A server can include several network elements, including other servers, and can be logically situation anywhere on a service provider&#39;s network, such as the back-end of a cellular network. A server hosts or is in communication with a database hosting an account for a user of a mobile device. The “user account” includes several attributes for a particular user, including a unique identifier of the mobile device(s) owned by the user, relationships with other users, application usage, location, personal settings, business rules, bank accounts, and other information. A server may communicate with other servers on different networks to update a user account. 
     For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled structures across the figures (e.g.,  132  and  232 , etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, then that conflicting description given for that particular embodiment shall govern. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a system for enhanced video sharing during a voice connection. In this embodiment, the system includes a first mobile device  111 , a second mobile device  121 , an external display device  123 , and a cellular network including an application server  101  and a media server  105 . 
     First mobile device  111  includes at least one transceiver to communicate with the cellular network. First mobile device  111  is capable of both voice and data connections over the cellular network. First mobile device  111  may also include a camera for capturing a video. 
     The cellular network provides a radio network for communication between devices, including first mobile device  111  and second mobile device  121 . Wireless carriers typically provide service to a geographic market area by dividing the area into many smaller areas or cells. Each cell is serviced by a radio transceiver, such as base transceiver stations. Base transceiver stations connect first mobile device  111  and second mobile device  121  to other elements of the cellular network. For instance, base transceiver stations connect first mobile device  111  and second mobile device  121  to Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) through landlines or other communication links, and the MSCs may, in turn, be connected via landlines to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), to other cellular networks, to IP networks, etc. First mobile device  111  and second mobile device  121  communicate with application server  101  and media server  105  using these components of the cellular network. 
     Application server  101  is a server located on the cellular network. Application server  101  provides a signaling platform for delivering video during a connected voice session. Application server  101  is in communication via the cellular network with first mobile device  111  and second mobile device  121  and may further be in communication with external display device  123  via the cellular network or via any wired or wireless network. Connections between application server  101  and first mobile device  111 , second mobile device  121 , and optionally external display device  123  allow application server  101  to set up and maintain connections between media server  105  and first mobile device  111 , second mobile device  121 , and external display device  123 . These connections also allow application server  101  to update these devices, determine the capability of the devices, etc. 
     Application server includes a configuration logic  103  and a configuration database  104 . Configuration logic  103  provides signaling to each of first mobile device  111 , second mobile device  121 , and media server  105  to appropriately connect each for delivering video. Configuration logic  103  includes instructions for signaling and connecting each of the mobile devices  111  and  121  and external display device  123  with media server  105  as well as messages and/or other data sent with the signaling. Configuration logic  103  includes instructions for determining preferences and settings from configuration database  104  for each of the mobile devices  111  and  121 . Configuration logic  104  also determines the capabilities of each of the mobile devices  111  and  121  and external display device  123  as well as strengths of the signals between the mobile devices and the cellular network and/or other wireless networks. Signal strengths may be used to adjust streaming rates for each mobile device. Configuration logic  103  may further include instructions for the compression/decompression of video files for videos sent and received by media server  105 . Configuration logic  103  references configuration database  104  to ensure media is delivered in a proper configuration to second mobile device  121  and/or first mobile device  111 . Configuration database  104  contains device capabilities of first mobile device  111  and second mobile device  121 , user profiles, etc. The user profiles may contain preferences, settings, etc. for users of the system. These user profiles may be programmed by the users through their respective mobile device, may be programmed using a personal computer, may be learned by application server  101  based upon previous sessions, etc. 
     When first mobile device  111  desires to share a video with second mobile device  121 , first mobile device  111  uses an application onboard first mobile device  111  to select the video. First mobile device  111  signals to application server  101  that the video is to be sent to second mobile device  121 . If the video is from onboard first mobile device  111 , application server  101  instructs media server  105  to connect with first mobile device  111  and the video is streamed or otherwise delivered to media server  105 . Application server  101  searches configuration database  104  for a proper configuration for second mobile device  121  and/or external display device  123 . Application server  101  signals the appropriate instructions to media server  105 . These instructions include where to send the video, as well as the configuration necessary for second mobile device  121  and/or external display device  123 . If the video is not onboard first mobile device  111  but rather at a remote location, such as media database  107 , the instructions further include the location of the video. Media server  105  then connects to the specified location to retrieve the video. 
     Media server  105  is a server located on the cellular network. Media server  105  includes logic to establish a connection between media server  105  and first mobile device  111 , second mobile device  121 , and/or external display device  123  via a cellular data connection across cellular network. Media server  105  may further connect to external display device  123  via a wired or wireless network. For instance, media server  105  may connect to external display device  123  via fiber optic cable. Media server  105  also contains logic to transcode the video selected by first mobile device  111  based upon instructions from application server  101 . The transcoding ensures that the video is in a proper format for the device receiving the video. 
     Media server  105  contains or is in communication with a media database  107 . Media database  107  stores videos that may later be transmitted to devices. Media database  107  may also store a copy of a video streamed or uploaded by first mobile device  111  and/or second mobile device  121  for later use. Thus, later requests for the video do not require first mobile device  111  to upload or stream the video again. Media server  105  may receive the video from first wireless device  111 , second wireless device  121 , may locate the video from media database  107 , or may retrieve video through a network connection. Media server  105  transcodes the video into the appropriate format for second mobile device  121 , first mobile device  111 , and or external display device  123 . Transcoding may include formatting the video for a screen size, a file type, a file size, etc. Media server  105  sends the formatted video through the cellular network to, for instance, second mobile device  121 . Media server  105  may further introduce a buffer when sending the video. When being viewed by multiple parties, this may ensure that each party is watching the same portion of the video at the same time. Thus, in embodiments of the disclosure, the video is synchronized as much as possible. Further, in particular embodiments, the sending party, or each of the parties, is able to control the video during playback. The parties may pause the video, jump to another point, play the video in slow motion, etc. 
     In particular embodiments, the functions of application server  101  and media server  105  are combined into one server on the cellular network. In other embodiments, all videos are sent through application server  101 . Thus, for instance, video is uploaded from first mobile device  111  to media server  105  through application server  101  rather than directly and video is transmitted from media server  105  to second mobile device  121  through application server  101 . 
     Second mobile device  121  includes a display as well as logic to receive and play back video. When second mobile device  121  receives the video from media server  105 , second mobile device  121  may display the video. Second mobile device  121  also includes, or is in communication with an audio output such as a speaker to play the audio associated with the video. 
     Second mobile device  121  may further include a GPS receiver or other means of determining a location of second mobile device  121 . Second mobile device  121  may use this location to determine aspects of the playback of the video. For instance, the user may program that when second mobile device  121  is in a certain location, videos should be sent to external display device  123  rather than or in addition to second mobile device  121 . 
     Second mobile device  121  may further include a near field communication (NFC) transceiver. This may utilize BLUETOOTH®, WiFi, RFID, etc. NFC transceiver allows second mobile device  121  to communicate with nearby devices, such as external display device  123 . When second mobile device  121  senses external display device  123  through the NFC transceiver, second mobile device  121  signals to application server  101  to have videos sent directly to external display device  123 . Application server  101  signals media server  105  to give media server  105  instructions regarding the new location for sending the video as well as the necessary configuration for external display device  123 . 
     Embodiments of the system include external display device  123 . External display device  123  may be used in instances where second mobile device  121  does not have a sufficient display. Alternatively, external display device  123  may simply provide a higher quality or different display. For instance, a large projection system may provide a better display than second mobile device  121  when displaying a video to a large audience. External display device  123  may be a television with a set-top box such as an IPTV box, a monitor of a home computer, a projector, or equivalent means of receiving a video signal and displaying a corresponding video. External display device  123  is in communication with application server  101  and media sever  105  via the cellular network and/or another wireless or wireline network. The video may be sent directly from media server  105  to external display device  123  according to the preferences and settings of second mobile device  121 . For instance, when second wireless device  121  is located at a user&#39;s home, the user would rather view the video on his television. The location of second mobile device  121  or second mobile device  121 &#39;s proximity to external display device  123  is detected. This detection is signaled to application server  101  which signals media server  105  to send the video to external display device  123 . This detection may occur while the video is being played by second mobile device  121 . When in proximity to external display device the user of second mobile device  121  may be notified that the video has started streaming to external display device  123  in addition to or instead of second mobile device  121 . This notification may be a verbal notification from media server  105  or application server  101 , may be a text notification, etc. Some external display devices may further require the user to log in, such that the video is not shared with an inappropriate party. 
     The entire process, from streaming or locating a video to displaying the video may occur in real-time so that the users may view the video without unnecessary waiting. To ensure the timeliness of the process, the quality of the videos transmitted may be dynamically adjusted due to the detected bandwidth. For instance, the video quality transmitted may be decreased when a low bandwidth is available and increased when a higher bandwidth is available. The video quality may be adjusted by one or more of first mobile device  111 , application server  101 , media server  105 , second mobile device  121 , and external display device  123 . 
     The preferences and settings in the user profile may further include location and time settings. For instance, a receiving user may desire to have video sent to an external display device at certain times or locations. The user may further adjust settings such that, for instance, during business hours, or at the location of the office, any video streamed to the user&#39;s mobile device instead be delivered to the user&#39;s work computer. Video streamed at other times or locations is delivered to the user&#39;s mobile device. These settings can be fixed by the user, or can be dynamically adjusted based on historical adjustments made by one or more users. 
     For simplicity,  FIG. 1  only shows first mobile device  111  selecting a video and second mobile device  121  or external display device  123  displaying the video. However, the process can flow either way, i.e. each mobile device may select video to send to the other user, including video captured by the mobile device. Each mobile device may also display video selected by the opposite mobile device. Further, a second external display device may be used by first mobile device  111 , similar to the use of external display device  123  by second mobile device  121 . 
     Such a system may be useful in many situations. For instance, a sender, Alice, is on a telephone call with the receiver, Bob. The application server is invoked in the signaling path. Alice wishes to share a pre-recorded video on her mobile phone and invokes an application on her mobile phone. On the receiving end, Bob has previously configured his preferences: when he is at the office, he wishes to view shared video on his office computer. Bob logs into the service on a web browser. When Alice begins sharing the video, Bob sees the video as it pops up in a new window. Alice also sees the video on her mobile phone. Alice and Bob can continue the phone conversation to discuss the video while watching the video. In the network, a media server performs any necessary transcoding so that the video is suitable for viewing on Bob&#39;s computer. The media server can also perform enhancements as in this case Bob&#39;s computer can support higher bandwidth and video size than a mobile phone. Furthermore, Alice can instruct the service to store the video content in a video storage in media database. Alice can then share the video with other people later, even if she deletes the video from her mobile phone, or if she is using a different device later. 
     In another scenario, Bob is on the road and does not have access to a computer. Again, the service deduces based on Bob&#39;s preference and his current context (that he is not at the office) that the video content should be sent to Bob&#39;s mobile device. In this case, the application server signals an application on Bob&#39;s mobile device to begin playing the video content from the media server. 
     While two mobile devices are shown, any number of mobile devices may be participants in the video sharing, such as when multiple devices are connected in a conference call. The video may similarly be uploaded to or located by the media server and transmitted to each of the participating mobile devices. The video may also be transmitted to third parties, such that these third parties may watch the video without participating in the voice call. 
     In particular embodiments, when one of the participating mobile devices senses a wireless network other than the cellular network in the mobile device&#39;s proximity, the mobile device may switch to the wireless network. Such a switch may provide the mobile device with a higher bandwidth, may alleviate congestion in the cellular network, etc. The alternate wireless network may be a femtocell, a Wi-Fi router connected to a broadband Internet connection, etc. 
     While the example of sending a video during a voice call is used above, the video may further be sent while devices are connected in another manner. For example, the devices may be connected in a multimedia call. Such a call may utilize voice, audio, etc. Alternatively, the devices may be connected in a text-based instant message and desire to share video. These and other possibilities are within the scope of the disclosure and would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure. 
     Further, in particular embodiments utilizing an external display device, the second mobile device may instead be a landline based device. The first mobile device may be connected to the landline based device in a voice call and send the video to the external display device of the user of the landline based device. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts external components of an embodiment of a mobile device  211 .  FIG. 2B  depicts internal components of an embodiment of a mobile device  211 . Mobile device  211  includes a speaker  214 , a display  213 , a microphone  217 , an antenna  219 , a keypad  215 , and a camera  231 . Mobile device  211  further includes a transceiver  239 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver  235 , a power supply  234 , a central processing unit (CPU)  233 , and a memory  238 . Speaker  214  provides an audio output for mobile device  211 . Display  213  is an LCD or LED or other type of display on which a user can view selections, numbers, letters, etc. Display  213  allows the user to view video being recorded or video sent to mobile device  211 . Display  213  can also be a touchscreen, thereby being used as an input device in lieu of keypad  215 . 
     Keypad  215  acts as an input for mobile device  211 , for instance, to type a phone number or a message. Keypad  215  may be a numerical keypad, a QWERTY keyboard, etc. 
     Microphone  217  allows the user to verbally communicate with others using mobile device  211 . Microphone  217  may be used to capture audio along with a recorded video. 
     Camera  231  may be any optical sensor capable of capturing video. Depending upon the internal components of camera  231 , camera  231  may be able to capture varying qualities of video, ranging from QVGA (320 by 240 pixels) to high definition (HD) video. 
     Antenna  219  is a transducer component designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic waves to and from a network. In conjunction with antenna  219 , transceiver  239  allows mobile device  211  to wirelessly communicate with a cellular network or with other mobile devices across the cellular network. Transceiver  239  may be a cellular transceiver, a wireless transceiver, etc., and includes combinations of transceivers to communicate with assorted wireless networks. Transceiver  239  may enable mobile device  211  to wirelessly communicate over short ranges with NFC devices. Transceiver  239  can include, for instance, a BLUETOOTH® transceiver or a contactless integrated circuit card (CICC). 
     GPS transceiver  235  enables a determination of a location of mobile device  211 . Power supply  234  provides power to each of the components of mobile device  211 , and can include a battery, as well as an interface to an external power supply. 
     CPU  233  controls components of mobile device  211  according to instructions in logic stored on memory  237 . Memory  237  comprises any computer readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, etc. Memory  237  stores video logic  238 , in addition to logic for operating the components of mobile device  211 . Video logic  238  contains instructions for selecting video during a connected voice call. Video logic  238  may further contain instructions for compressing recorded video files before transmitting the video files and for decompressing received video files. Video logic  238  may also contain instructions for receiving a request to share a video, determine whether an external display device is nearby, and respond to the request, where the response includes whether to send the video to mobile device  211  or the external display device. Memory  237  may also contain rules related to how a GPS-determined location may be used in conjunction with pre-defined rules to deliver a video according to the preferences of the user. For instance, when a user is located at his or her house, the user may desire to have the video sent to an external display device. 
     In particular embodiments, the camera  231  may be external to the mobile device. In such instances, the camera  231  may be connected to the mobile device via a wired or a wireless connection. Wired connections can use Universal Serial Bus (USB) or other proprietary interfaces, while wireless connection may be established using WiFi, BLUETOOTH®, WiMAX®, NFC, Infrared, etc. Images, video, and/or sound may be captured by the camera  231  and delivered to the mobile device  211  via the wired or wireless connection. Alternatively, images and video may be captured by the camera  231  while sound is recorded by the mobile device  211 . 
     The mobile device  211  may further include an audio and/or video output port. This port allows the mobile device  211  to connect with an external audio and/or video device via a wired connection. Various possible types of wired connections will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show block diagrams that depict detection and use of an external display device for displaying a video. Existence of a nearby external display devices may be determined based upon a location of the mobile device, a detection of the external display device by the mobile device, etc. 
       FIG. 3  shows a mobile device  321  in proximity to an external display device  323 . In this embodiment, a user of mobile device  321  has set a boundary  327  for using an external display device  323 . The boundary is defined by a user-defined radius around the GPS coordinates of external display device  323 . When mobile device  321  is within boundary  327 , video shared with the user is sent directly to external display device  323 , in this case a personal computer. Boundary  327  may be a radius around a certain GPS location, may be detected by the network, such as through triangulation, etc. Coordinates of boundary  327  may be stored on the application server, on mobile device  321 , or elsewhere on a network in communication with the application server. 
       FIG. 4  shows a mobile device  421  communicating with a television  425  with a set-top box  426  to display a video on television  425 . Mobile device  421  may receive a video from the media server and send the video to set-top box  426  via a wired connection to display on television  425 . The application server may detect or be notified of this connection and instruct the media server to send video in a proper format for television  425  and set-top box  426 . In an alternative embodiment, the connection between mobile device  421  and set-top box  426  is wireless, such as through an NFC connection. This may be, for instance, WiFi, BLUETOOTH®, WiMAX®, RFID, etc. In certain embodiments, when mobile device  421  connects with set-top box  426 , mobile device  421  transmits the video to set-top box  426 . Similar to the wired connection, the application server can detect or be notified of the connection and instructs the media server to appropriately format the video for set-top box  426  and television  425 . In other embodiments, mobile device detects the presence of set-top box  426  using NFC communication. Mobile device  421  then notifies the application server of this presence. The application server then checks the preferences of the user when in proximity of external display devices and appropriately instructs the media server. For instance, the application server may instruct the media server to send the video directly to set-top box  426 , may send the video to mobile device  421  formatted for set-top box  426  and television  425 , may send the video formatted for mobile device  421 , etc. 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a method for sharing a video between mobile devices during a voice call. In this embodiment, the method begins with an application server on a cellular network receives a request S 541  from a first mobile device to send a video to a second mobile device while the first mobile device and second mobile device are connected on a voice call. The application server queries the recipient S 542 , on the second mobile device, whether the recipient wishes to receive the video. The application server then determines whether the recipient has accepted the request S 543 . This may be determined by receiving a confirmation signal from the second mobile device. If the recipient did not accept the video, the method ends with the first mobile device and the second mobile device still connected in the voice call. If the recipient did accept the video, the application server determines whether the second mobile device is in proximity to a monitor or other external display device S 544 . This may entail the application server receiving a notification from the second mobile device that the second mobile device is within proximity of the external display device. If the second mobile device is in proximity to the external display device, the application server signals a media server to connect to and stream the video to the external display device S 545 . If the second mobile device is not in proximity to the external display device, the application server signals the media server to connect to and stream the video to the second mobile device. 
     In particular embodiments, even if the mobile device does not have any way to display the video, both audio and video are sent if the mobile device settings specify this. This may be useful when the mobile device is recording the streamed video such that the recorded file may be played at a later time on another device or when video output devices are available. 
     In particular embodiments, the application server may further transfer the connection between either of the parties and the media server to a different data connection, such as WiFi, WiMAX®, etc. when these connections are available. Such connections save resources in the cellular network and may provide the participants with higher bandwidth, allowing for a higher quality of video and audio. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a flow diagram for video sharing between mobile devices. The flow occurs across a network including a first mobile device  611 , an application server  601 , a media server  605 , a media database  607 , a second mobile device  621 , and an external display device  623 . While first mobile device  611  is in a voice call with second mobile device  621 , first mobile device  611  sends a request S 650  to application server  601 . The request is for sending a video to a user of second mobile device  621 . The request may be signaled to and received by application server  601  using any form of signaling, such as session initiation protocol (SIP), etc. Application server  601  queries second mobile device  621  to determine if second mobile device  621  accepts the request S 651 . Second mobile device  621  determines whether second mobile device  621  is in proximity to external display device  623 , S 652 . Second mobile device  621  sends an acceptance of the video transfer S 653  to application server  601 , the acceptance including a notification of the proximity of second mobile device  621  to external display device  623 . Application server  601  instructs S 654  media server  605  to locate the video from media database  607 , create a connection with external display device  623 , and send the video to external display device  623 . These instructions include settings, preferences, and capabilities of external display device  623 . Capabilities for external display device  623  include the type of display used by external display device  623 , signal strengths received by external display device  623 , alternate connections possible, such as other wired or wireless networks, etc. Preferences and settings may include a preferred streaming quality. Media server  605  communicates with media database  607  to receive and buffer S 655  the video from media database  607 . Media server  607  then connects to external display device  623  and streams the video S 656  to external display device. 
     In particular embodiments, the application server begins by signaling the media server to send the video stream to the second mobile device. After the video begins playing on the second mobile device, the second mobile device signals to the application server or the media server that the external display device is in proximity. The application server instructs the media server to transfer the transmission containing the video stream to the external display device or create a second transmission to the external display device in addition to the second mobile device. 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a mobile device  721  with an interface for programming settings for using an external display device. In this embodiment, an alternate viewer setup  761  includes a mode  763 , an output  765 , a defined area  767 , a save button  768 , and a cancel button  769 . A user of mobile device  721  may use a keypad  715  to make selections. Mode  763  allows the user to select a mode of determining when mobile device  721  is near the external display device. When mode  763  is set to GPS range, a GPS location of mobile device  721  determines when the media server will send a video to the external display device. When mode  763  is set to proximity, the media server sends the video to the external display device when mobile device  621  detects a proximity to the external display device. As described above, this may occur through short range NFC communications, etc. Output  765  allows the user to select to which external display device to send the video. For instance, available outputs may be a personal computer, a set-top box, etc. When mode  763  is selected as a GPS range, defined area  767  allows the user to select a latitude and longitude of a location for using the selected external display device. Defined area  767  also allows the user to select a distance around the location, creating an area within which the external display device is used. Save button  768  allows the user to save settings from alternate viewer setup  761 . Cancel button  769  cancels changes to alternate viewer setup  761  and reverts to previously saved or default settings. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. For instance, communication between mobile devices and network elements can be accomplished by Internet Protocol (IP) addressing, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling over an IP Multimedia System (IMS), Voice over IP (VoIP), etc. The scope of the disclosure is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the disclosure, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the disclosure as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the disclosure should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.