Patent Publication Number: US-2003232593-A1

Title: Digital data transfer through different communication paths

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates to data transmission. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for communicating between a mobile terminal and a display system.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] It is common today for audio and visual programs to be broadcasted in digital formats such as DVB-S, DVB-C and DVB-T. The broadcasted signals are typically received at digital broadcast receivers (set-top boxes) and converted to television signals for transmission to televisions. Prior art digital broadcast receivers have standard operations and generate relatively standard user interface screens that users cannot customize.  
       [0005] Existing digital broadcast receivers have not taken advantage of the ease with which digital signals can be captured, stored, manipulated and retrieved. As a result, users have been limited in their ability to customize the operation of digital broadcast receivers. For example, when tuned to an audio channel on a conventional digital broadcast receiver, users sometimes view a blank screen or an alphanumeric description of the audio broadcast. Users have also been limited in their ability to customize user interface elements.  
       [0006] Further, existing digital broadcast receivers have not taken advantage of digital communications with terminal devices. Because digital broadcast receivers are able to process digital video and audio data, benefits can be gained by interfacing terminal devices with digital broadcast receivers. In particular, benefits are gained by interfacing with mobile terminal devices.  
       [0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art for digital broadcast receiver systems and methods that allow users to customize the operation of digital broadcast receivers. There is also a need in the art for digital broadcast receiver systems and methods that allow users to manipulate the data received at the receiver to customize the operation of receiver. Further, there is a need in the art for digital broadcast receiver systems and methods that interface with mobile terminal devices.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The above-mentioned needs in the art are satisfied by the disclosed systems and methods that allow users to transfer digital pictures and other data between digital broadcast receivers and other terminal devices.  
       [0009] In one embodiment of the invention, a method of storing an image in a digital broadcast receiver is provided. The method includes uploading a picture from a terminal device via a short-range communication link such as BLUETOOTH and saving the picture in a memory module of the digital broadcast receiver. In one aspect, the terminal device may already be connected to the digital broadcast receiver prior to transferring the picture. In another aspect, the terminal device is not connected prior to transferring the picture and therefore requests a connection.  
       [0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the digital broadcast receiver displays on a television an interface related to communications with terminal devices. A user may interact with the digital broadcast receiver via a remote control using interface options displayed on the television. According to one aspect, connection information for terminal devices is shown on the television display. According to another aspect, picture information is shown on the television display. In accordance with a further aspect, pictures stored in the digital broadcast receiver may be displayed on the television.  
       [0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, a method for transferring a picture to a terminal device is provided. The picture may be one that is captured from a broadcast program received by a digital broadcast receiver. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for communicating with a remote terminal device through a digital broadcast receiver and a local terminal device connected to the receiver and to the Internet.  
       [0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, a digital broadcast receiver includes a central processing unit and an interface module for coupling the receiver to a computer device. A memory module is also coupled to the central processing unit and contains computer-executable instructions for performing the steps related to the invention. According to aspects of the invention, the steps include storing, capturing and transferring pictures to terminal devices as part of an album computer application. According to one aspect, the steps include performing a call through a local terminal device connected to the Internet.  
       [0013] In other embodiments of the invention, computer-executable instructions for implementing the disclosed methods are stored on computer-readable media. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:  
     [0015]FIG. 1 shows a system that includes a digital broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a method of capturing and utilizing picture frames in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a method of storing a picture on a digital broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a method of sending a picture stored on a digital broadcast receiver to a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 5 shows a display screen that includes a user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 6 shows a display screen that includes a picture stored on a digital broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 7 shows a display screen that includes a user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 8 shows a display screen that includes a user interface for showing a list of mobile terminal devices connected to a digital broadcast receiver; and  
     [0023]FIG. 9 illustrates a method of sending a call from a digital broadcast receiver via mobile terminal in communication with the Internet. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0024] In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 1 shows a system for receiving and processing digital video signals in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A digital broadcast receiver (set-top box)  100  may be coupled to a computer device  102  and to a television  104 . In alternative embodiments, television  104  may be replaced with a terminal, such as one attached to a telephone, personal digital assistant, pager or other device. Further, the digital broadcast receiver may be integrated with television  104  as a single unit. A digital input stream is received at the input port  106 . The digital input stream may have a format such as DVB-S, DVB-C, DVB-T, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or ISO-IEC standards 11172-1, 11172-2 and 11172-3. The digital input stream may also use a format disclosed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Any other digital transmission format may alternatively be used. Video and audio programs may be transmitted to digital broadcast receiver  100  over a variety of different frequencies and/or in a multiplexed manner over a single carrier. A demultiplexer  108  may be included to isolate a desired audio or video program from the input stream. The isolated program may then be sent to a bit stream buffer  110 . Bit stream buffer  110  buffers data that is sent to a decoder  112 . Decoder  112  may be included to decode or descramble signals broadcast in a compressed format such as in an MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 format. In one embodiment, the output of decoder  112  is a baseband signal. The baseband signal leaving decoder  112  may then be transmitted to display buffer  114  before being transmitted to a video encoder  116 . Video encoder  116  may then convert the baseband signal to a format that can be used by a television, such as the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) standard or the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) standard.  
     [0026] Digital broadcast receiver  100  also includes a short-range transceiver  125  for communicating with wireless devices within a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In a preferred embodiment, short-range transceiver  125  supports communications according to the WPAN specification known as “BLUETOOTH.” Information about this specification may be obtained from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group at the website www.bluetooth.com. Through the WPAN, multiple mobile terminal devices may communicate with receiver  100  and with each other within a certain range. As shown in FIG. 1, mobile terminal  127  can communicate with receiver  100  and with computer device  102  via the WPAN using a short-range transceiver  128  in the mobile terminal  127 . Further, mobile terminal  127 , e.g., a handheld mobile terminal, and computer device  102  may be connected to the Internet. Receiver  100  may connect to the Internet via computer device  102 . It may also be directly connected to the Internet, and as discussed later, it may access the Internet via mobile terminal  127 . Mobile terminal  127  may also include a processor  131  for controlling operations of the mobile terminal according to computer executable instructions stored in memory  132 . Alternatively, some or all of mobile terminal&#39;s computer readable instructions may be embodied in hardware or firmware (not shown).  
     [0027] The digital broadcast receiver  100  may also include an interface  120  for coupling the receiver to computer device  102  or other devices. An RS-232 interface may be utilized to provide a standard interface for connecting to additional devices. Of course, other interfaces, such as USB or IEEE 1394 interfaces may also or alternatively be included (not shown). A central processing unit (CPU)  122  may be included to control the overall operation of digital broadcast receiver  100 . Computer executable instructions and data used by CPU  122  and other components within digital broadcast receiver  100  may be stored in a memory  124 . Memory  124  may be implemented with any combination of read only memory modules or random access memory modules, optionally including both volatile and nonvolatile memory.  
     [0028] A user may control the operation of digital broadcast receiver  100  with a remote control  126 . A conventional infrared (IR) interface  128  may be included to receive information from the remote control  126 . A remote terminal device  129  may connect to the mobile terminal  127 , the computer  102 , or the receiver  100  via the Internet  130  or any other network, discussed in more detail below.  
     [0029] A method for customizing the operation of the digital broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a method  200  for capturing an image from a television, computer monitor or other device. First, in step  202 , a digital video stream is received at a digital broadcast receiver. The digital video stream may be received from a cable television provider, satellite television provider or other source of digital video and/or audio programming (e.g., a HDTV broadcast). Next, in step  204  the digital video stream is converted to a television input signal.  
     [0030] The conversion may include transforming an MPEG-2 or other digital signal into an NTSC or PAL signal. Such conversion circuits and software are well-known to those skilled in the art.  
     [0031] The television input signal is then transmitted to a television or other device(s) in step  206 . While viewing the television program, the user may see a picture that the user would like to store as a background screen for the television or other use for any other device (e.g., computer device). The user may make a selection with the remote control  126 , on an interface of digital broadcast receiver  100 , from a mobile phone or mobile terminal, computer terminal, or other device to capture the picture. After receiving a capture command in step  208 , the digital video stream is monitored and the next picture frame that has complete picture information is identified in step  210 . When the digital video stream is in MPEG format, the stream contains I, P and B picture frames. In one variation, only the I picture frames form complete pictures that can be used as background images. P and B frames contain only a portion of the information needed to form a complete image. Step  210  may include monitoring the digital video stream to identify the next I picture frame and may be performed by decoder  112 .  
     [0032] After a proper picture frame is identified, in step  212  the picture frame is stored in a memory, such as memory  124 . The memory may be a non-volatile or, alternatively, a volatile memory. The picture frame may be retrieved from memory  124  and transmitted to display buffer  114  or video encoder  116  to be displayed on television  104 , a computer monitor through a computer interface, or on any other connected display device. Video encoder  116  may convert the picture frame to a television frame input signal in step  214 . The picture frame may be displayed on a television at times determined by the user. In one embodiment, the picture frame is displayed on the television while the user listens to audio programming. As shown in FIG. 2, in step  216 , digital broadcast receiver  100  may receive the identification of a digital audio channel. The user may perform step  216  by making an appropriate selection with remote control  126  (or other control device as described above with respect to the capture command). Then in step  218 , information associating the digital audio channel with the picture frame may be stored in a memory, such as memory  124 . The association may be in the form of computer-executable instructions causing the picture frame to be retrieved from the memory when digital broadcast receiver  100  is tuned to the identified audio channel. In one embodiment, the user may view prompts on a television screen instructing the user to enter information to make the association. A captured frame may optionally be associated with more than one audio channel, e.g., the frame may be specified for use as a background when any audio channel is selected.  
     [0033] A method for customizing the operation of the digital broadcast receiver  100  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates a method  300  for uploading an image from a mobile terminal, such as mobile terminal  127 . According to method  300 , a user of mobile terminal  127  (mobile terminal  127  being, e.g., a digital camera-phone such as a Nokia 7650 mobile terminal, manufactured by Nokia Corporation of Finland), may desire to send a photograph stored on mobile terminal  127  to receiver  100 . As such, if terminal  127  is not connected to receiver  100 , it initially sends a connection request that is received in step  302  at receiver  100 . In response to receiving the connection request, receiver  100  in step  304  sends a display message to TV  104  to display the text “A remote terminal device is attempting to connect to you. Do you wish to accept the connection request from this terminal device?” or similar text. The name of the device may also be shown. The user may respond using remote control  126 , or via direct input to receiver  100 . He may also respond via mobile terminal  127  or through other means via computing device  102 .  
     [0034] After receiver  100  receives an affirmative response from the user in step  306 , it goes through a connection procedure according to the applicable WPAN specification in step  308 . In a BLUETOOTH scenario, both terminal  127  and receiver  100  authenticate one another and create a domain of trust. Such authentication may include writing the same passkey to each other, and if the keys match, both terminal  127  and receiver  100  are paired and bonded together. As such, data transferred between these devices may now be encrypted. The passkey mechanism may only be required the first time when an unknown device tries to make a connection to receiver  100 .  
     [0035] In accordance with the BLUETOOTH specification, the picture stored on terminal  127  is formatted as an OBEX-file and transferred to receiver  100 . The connection with terminal  127  is preferably terminated after the file is transferred. After receiver  100  in step  310  receives the OBEX-file, it may convert the OBEX-file in step  312  to a display format, such as MPEG I-frame. Upon reception of the OBEX-file, in step  314  receiver  100  may send a display message to TV  104  to display the message “What do you want to do with this object?” or similar message. Options are also preferably displayed, such as “Save” and “Display.” If the user selects the “Save” option, when the receiver  100  in step  316  receives the “Save” command, the receiver in step  318  saves the picture in memory module  124 . Prior to saving the picture, the OBEX-file may be converted in step  317  to another format, such as MPEG I-frame, if it has not been converted earlier (e.g., in step  312 ). Alternatively, if the user selects the “Display” option, when the receiver  100  receives such a command, the receiver in step  322  sends instructions to TV  104  to display the picture. If the OBEX-file for the picture has not previously been converted to a display format, the receiver  100  in step  321  converts the OBEX-file prior to sending display instructions to TV  104 .  
     [0036] The display format may include an identifier to one or more locations or applications to which the image corresponds. Thus the user can from his terminal determine in which location or application (e.g., album, background, selected radio stations, display grid, location within the user interface, etc.) of the display or receiver he wants the picture to be forwarded or stored. The terminal may provide alternatives for applications or locations as above e.g. using an advanced “Display” option.  
     [0037] Images stored in receiver  100  according to a further embodiment are stored in an album (not shown) maintained in memory module  124 . Accordingly, images or pictures may be saved to one or more folder structures (not shown) within the album. The album provides an easy interface for a user to choose images to display, delete, send, etc. It may further allow a user to rename images, change their order, or modify the images. It may also allow a user to set up a slide show and to control the display of the images via remote control  126  or another device, such as terminal  127 . To provide interaction with a user via remote control  126 , receiver  100  may send messages to display an album interface on TV  104 . As shown in FIG. 5, album interface  500  may be part of an overall receiver interface  502 , e.g., control bar  504 . In one embodiment, the receiver interface  502  is displayed over a video image display  506 , such as a television display. The receiver interface  502  may include a text area  508  that displays text messages, and sub-interface icons  510  that represent other interfaces and options for interacting with receiver  100 .  
     [0038]FIG. 5 further illustrates an album icon  512  formed from a thumbnail version of a picture stored in memory  124 . According to one embodiment, when the album icon  512  is selected, a folder icon  514  representing other pictures, and a picture icon  516  representing a single picture, are displayed in a vertical control bar  518 . The vertical control bar  518  can display more or fewer icons depending on the pictures and folders stored in memory  124  and according to the set up of the album, screen size, and like considerations. Within the icons there may be textual information presented, such as the name of the figure as can be seen in icons  514  and  516 . Further, controls for taking actions related to the pictures may be shown. According to one embodiment, when a picture icon, such as icon  516 , is selected, the picture associated with icon  516  is displayed on TV  104 . FIG. 6 shows the display  600  of a picture associated with icon  516 . As shown, display  600  may include options for taking actions associated with the picture. For example, a “Save” option  602  to save the picture or “Exit” option  604  to close the picture display may be shown. Other options may also or alternatively be used, e.g., options to send the picture, modify the picture, rename the picture, etc.  
     [0039] Referring back to FIG. 4, a method  400  for sending a picture stored in receiver  100  according to an illustrative embodiment is shown. Suppose for example that a user of receiver  100  desires to send a picture stored on the receiver to mobile terminal  127 . Suppose also that the mobile terminal  127  is an unknown device to the receiver  100 . Suppose further that the picture is stored in an album stored in the receiver  100 . The method  400  begins in step  402  when the user selects an album interface by selecting an album icon (e.g., icon  512  in FIG. 5) displayed on TV  104 . The album icon may include a thumbnail version of a picture stored in memory module  124 . If the album contains more than one image, the user may further select one or more images in the selected album.  
     [0040] In response to receiving the user selection of one or more images, the receiver  100  in step  404  may send instructions to TV  104  to display action option icons and a message such as “What do you want to do with this/these photograph(s)?” requesting an action from the user. The option icons in this scenario may include icons to delete, open, rename, and/or send the image(s), etc. Upon user selection of, for example, a “Send it” icon, receiver  100  in step  406  receives a send message from remote control  126 . Because the picture according to the BLUETOOTH specification is sent as an OBEX file, receiver  100  in step  408  looks for terminal devices that support OBEX files.  
     [0041] The connection formation is performed according to the principles of  Specification Of The Bluetooth System  Volumes 1 and 2, Core and Profiles: Version 1.1 Feb. 22, 2001, which describes the principles of BLUETOOTH device operation and communication protocols. The operation, generally, includes: first, the receiver  100  sends Inquiry messages via the short range transceiver  125  and if one or more devices are found, the short range transceiver  125  subsequently sends Paging messages. After receiving one or more Page Responses from the one or more other devices, a BLUETOOTH connection can be established and the receiver  100  may ask whether any of the connected devices support Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP) and file transfer synchronization using the Object Exchange OBEX Standard. The OBEX standard is specified by the Infrared Association (irDA), Object Exchange Protocol, Version 1.2. The OBEX Standard was adopted by Bluetooth as a binary HTTP protocol that allows multiple request/response exchanges. The queries for GOEP and OBEX support are performed in Bluetooth Service Discovery Protocol (SDP), which defines the investigation of services available to a BLUETOOTH unit from other units. After receiving OBEX-support indications from the one or more other devices, the receiver  100  in step  410  sends a message to display a list of such devices. If no devices supporting OBEX are found, receiver  100  in step  410  sends a message to display the message “No supporting devices found, try again?” or a similar message.  
     [0042] When receiver  100  locates a number of applicable devices (i.e., devices that support OBEX-files) and therefore displays a list of the devices in step  410 , the list may show each device according to a nickname given previously. Suppose mobile terminal  127  is on the list and the user selects it in step  412  via remote control  126 . Upon reception of the user&#39;s selection, receiver  100  and terminal  127  go through authentication mechanisms as described previously including, e.g., using a passkey mechanism. If the authentication fails, receiver  100  in step  416  sends display instructions to display the message “Bad Request.” If authentication is successful, receiver  100  in step  418  sends the OBEX-file for the selected picture to terminal  127 . When the transmission is complete, the connection is preferably terminated. While the connection is active, a connection icon (e.g., icon  710  in FIG. 7) is preferably displayed on TV  104 .  
     [0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, an interface  700  according to an illustrative embodiment for interacting with receiver  100  is shown. The interface  700  generally includes a video portion  702 , a navigation bar  704  with interface options  706 , a BLUETOOTH activity indicator  708 , and a connection icon  710 . Receiver  100  according to one embodiment is able to send video display signals along with permitting a user to interact with receiver  100  via interface  700 . Interface options  706  shown on navigation bar  704  correspond to various systems and methods for interacting with the receiver  100 . As shown, one interface option  706  includes control options for controlling the receiver  100  and the associated system. For example, one control option  712  relates to BLUETOOTH devices connected to the receiver  100 . BLUETOOTH activity indicator  708  may be shown to indicate that the BLUETOOTH system is active. If it is disabled, activities requested that relate to BLUETOOTH devices will result in the receiver  100  instructing TV  104  to display a message indicating that BLUETOOTH is not active, e.g., the message “Bluetooth is not activated. Do you want to activate it now?” While a BLUETOOTH device is connected to the receiver  100 , a connection icon  710  may be shown to indicate the connection.  
     [0044] Suppose BLUETOOTH is active and mobile terminal  127  is currently connected as indicated by icons  708  and  710 . If a user selects interface option  706  and then selects BLUETOOTH control option  712 , a command interface  800  shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed according to instructions from receiver  100 . The command interface  800  provides status information about known BLUETOOTH devices.  
     [0045] Referring now to FIG. 9, a method  900  of sending a call from receiver  100  via terminal  127  according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. Suppose that a user desires to make an Internet call using receiver  100  in combination with TV  104 , but that receiver  100  is not directly connected to the Internet. Suppose further that computing device  102  is not connected to the Internet. The user can make the Internet call using WPAN connectivity with terminal  127 , which is connected to the Internet. As such, the user in step  902  chooses a modem menu (not shown) from a user interface that receiver  100  instructs to be displayed on TV  104 . In response to the user&#39;s selection, receiver  100  sends display instructions showing that terminal  127  is connected and available for such a call. The user in step  904  subsequently selects terminal  127  and is prompted by receiver  100  for call connection information, such as a dialing number, web address, URL, etc. The user inputs the requested information in step  906 . After inputting call connection information, the user selects a “call” button to request call connection processing. Upon reception of call connection information from the user, receiver  100  in step  908  sends a call connection request to terminal  127 .  
     [0046] Terminal  127  in step  910  completes the Internet call via its connection with the Internet  130 . Call completion can be accomplished using session initiation protocol (SIP) messaging and session description protocol (SDP) messaging, or other call completion protocols and methods as are known in the art. Once the call session is initiated, terminal  127  in step  912  transfers call messages received via its WPAN connection with receiver  100 . Receiver  100  is then able to send display messages to TV  104  and receive user input via remote control  126 . In another embodiment, other user input devices are also connected to receiver  100  for interacting with the call messages. Suppose for example that the user called a remote terminal device  129  (also in communication with the Internet  130 ) and desires to communicate using two-way audio and video messages. A camera (not shown) and a microphone (not shown) may be attached to the receiver  100  to enable such communication. A user may then be able to interact via audio and video inputs with another user interacting with remote terminal device  129 .  
     [0047] In further embodiments, computer device  102  may be connected to a wide area network such as the Internet  130  to obtain icons, background images and audio and video clips. Computer device  102  and/or digital broadcast receiver  100  may also be connected to other input devices, such as scanners, cameras and MP3 players. Video and audio data may also be transferred from digital broadcast receiver  100  to computer device  102 . Computer device  102  may use the video and audio data to customize user interface screens, backgrounds, screen savers, add sound to computer device events or otherwise customize the computer device. Computer device  102  may also convert the video and audio data to other formats and transmit the data to other entities connected to the Internet  130  (e.g., as attachments to e-mail messages).  
     [0048] While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, one or more of the components shown within digital broadcast receiver  100  may be located within one or more other devices, such as a television. Moreover, the disclosed methods may be implemented as computer-executable instructions recorded on a computer readable medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM.