Source: http://patents.com/us-9860297.html
Timestamp: 2018-07-23 17:47:52
Document Index: 670017922

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 12166717', 'Application No. 08006467', 'Application No. 12167079', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 12167079']

US Patent # 9,860,297. Method, apparatus, and computer program product for media selection for moving user - Patents.com
United States Patent 9,860,297
Palin , et al. January 2, 2018
Palin; Arto (Viiala, FI), Reunamaki; Jukka (Tampere, FI), Kiukkonen; Niko (Veikkola, FI)
Family ID: 1000003042413
14/293,179
US 20150350279 A1 Dec 3, 2015
Current CPC Class: H04L 65/80 (20130101); H04L 65/4084 (20130101); H04W 4/023 (20130101); H04W 4/028 (20130101); H04W 36/38 (20130101); H04W 4/008 (20130101); H04W 36/24 (20130101)
Current International Class: H04L 29/06 (20060101); H04W 4/02 (20090101); H04W 4/00 (20090101); H04W 36/24 (20090101); H04W 36/38 (20090101)
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1. A method, comprising: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server; measuring, by the apparatus, signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; maintaining, by the apparatus, the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; receiving, by the apparatus, from another wireless device capable of reproducing content received from the server, information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproducing content received from the server, when the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless device discovery messages received by the other device from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected is greater than the maintained signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, is received from at least one of the other wireless device or the server.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the relinquishing reproducing content received from the server, is performed when the information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with a first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval.
4. A method, comprising: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; measuring, by the apparatus, signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; maintaining, by the apparatus, the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; receiving, by the apparatus, from another wireless device currently reproducing content it receives over a connection from the server, information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server when the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless device discovery messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected is less than the maintained signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, is received from at least one of the other wireless device or the server.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the commencing reproduction of content received from the server is performed when the information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with a first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval.
7. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: scan for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; reproduce content received from the server; measure signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; maintain the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; receive from another wireless device capable of reproducing content received from the server, information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; compare the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and relinquish reproducing content received from the server when the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless device discovery messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected is greater than the maintained signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, is received from at least one of the other wireless device or the server.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the relinquishing reproducing content received from the server is performed when the information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with a first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval.
10. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: scan for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; measure signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; maintain the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; receive from another wireless device currently reproducing content it receives over a connection from the server, information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; compare the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and commence reproduction of content received from the server when the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless device discovery messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected is less than the maintained signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, is received from at least one of the other wireless device or the server.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the commencing reproduction of content received from the server is performed when the information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with a first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval.
13. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; code for reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server; code for measuring, by the apparatus, signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; code for maintaining, by the apparatus, the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; code for receiving, by the apparatus, from another wireless device capable of reproducing content received from the server, information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; code for comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and code for relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproducing content received from the server, when the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless device discovery messages received by the other device from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected is greater than the maintained signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected.
14. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; code for measuring, by the apparatus, signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; code for maintaining, by the apparatus, the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; code for receiving, by the apparatus, from another wireless device currently reproducing content it receives over a connection from the server, information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; code for comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and code for commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server when the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless device discovery messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected is less than the maintained signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected.
15. A method, comprising: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server; measuring, by the apparatus, signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; maintaining, by the apparatus, the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; receiving, by the apparatus, from another wireless device capable of reproducing content received from the server, information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server when the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected being less than a predefined signal strength of the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device.
16. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: scan for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; reproduce content received from the server; measure signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; maintain the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; receive from another wireless device capable of reproducing content received from the server, information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; compare the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and relinquish reproduction of content received from the server when the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected being less than a predefined signal strength of the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device.
17. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless device discovery messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected, while the apparatus is connected to a server; code for reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server; code for measuring, by the apparatus, signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; code for maintaining, by the apparatus, the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected; code for receiving, by the apparatus, from another wireless device capable of reproducing content received from the server, information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; code for comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device; and code for relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server when the measured signal strength of the wireless device discovery messages received from the mobile wireless device to which the apparatus is not connected being less than a predefined signal strength of the received information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device.
An example of a wireless short-range communication technology is Bluetooth.TM. communication protocol, which operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Bluetooth.TM. is a short-range radio network, originally intended as a cable replacement. Bluetooth.TM. Technical Specifications are published by the Bluetooth.TM. SIG, Inc. Bluetooth.TM. Specification version 2.0+EDR, published Oct. 15 2004 has the original functional characteristics of the first version Bluetooth.TM. Basic Rate (BR) and adds the Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) feature. Bluetooth.TM. Specification version 2.1+EDR, published Jul. 26 2007 for Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR), added definitions for new features: Encryption Pause Resume, Erroneous Data reporting, Extended Inquiry Response, Link Supervision Timeout Event, Packet Boundary Flag, Secure Simple Pairing, Sniff Subrating. Bluetooth.TM. Specification version 3.0+HS, published Apr. 21 2009, updated the standard to integrate the Alternate MAC/PHY and Unicast Connectionless Data features.
The Bluetooth.TM. Core Specification, Version 4.0, Bluetooth.TM. SIG, Jun. 30, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference), includes the Extended Inquiry Response. An Extended Inquiry Response may be used to provide miscellaneous information during the inquiry response procedure. Data types may be defined for such things as local name and supported services, information that otherwise would have to be obtained by establishing a connection. A device that receives a local name and a list of supported services in an extended inquiry response does not have to connect to do a remote name request and a service discovery protocol (SDP) service search, thereby shortening the time to useful information.
scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server;
maintaining, by the apparatus, measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproducing content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
receiving, by the apparatus, the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; and
comparing, by the apparatus, the received information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
wherein the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, is received from at least one of the other wireless device or the server.
wherein the relinquishing reproducing content received from the server is performed when the information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval.
commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
receiving, by the apparatus, information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device, wherein the other wireless device is currently reproducing content it receives over a connection from the server; and
wherein the information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, is received from at least one of the other wireless device or the server.
wherein the commencing reproduction of content received from the server is performed when the information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval.
scan for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
reproduce content received from the server;
maintain measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
relinquish reproducing content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
receive the information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device; and
compare the received information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
commence reproduction of content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
receive information relating to the measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless device from the mobile wireless device, wherein the other wireless device is currently reproducing content it receives over a connection from the server; and
code for scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
code for reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server;
code for maintaining, by the apparatus, measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
code for relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproducing content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
code for commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being less than a predefined signal strength.
commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being greater than a predefined signal strength.
relinquish reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being less than a predefined signal strength.
commence reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being greater than a predefined signal strength.
code for relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being less than a predefined signal strength.
code for commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being greater than a predefined signal strength.
FIG. 1A is an illustration of an example embodiment of a network in a device discovery phase, with at least two discovering multimedia devices, such as audio speakers and/or video displays A and B, each detecting wireless device discovery messages received from a mobile wireless device. A multimedia device includes, in accordance with at least one example embodiment, at least an individual audio speaker or display device. Each multimedia device is scanning for wireless messages associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device, while at the same time each multimedia device is respectively connected to a streaming server that streams content to both multimedia devices. Since the mobile device was previously closer to the first multimedia device B, of the two multimedia devices, that previously closer multimedia device B is playing the content stream that it receives from the server, while the other multimedia device A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1A, wherein the mobile wireless device has moved closer to the second multimedia device A than to the first multimedia device B. Each discovering multimedia device measures a signal strength characteristic RSSI of its received wireless device discovery message. Each discovering multimedia device stores and maintains the characteristic RSSI of the wireless device discovery message that it receives. The previously closer multimedia device B continues to play the content stream that it receives from the server, while the other multimedia device A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1C is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1B, wherein each discovering multimedia device exchanges information relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI, with the other multimedia device by exchanging wireless messages. The previously closer multimedia device B continues to play the content stream that it receives from the server, while the other multimedia device A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1D is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1C, wherein each of the discovering multimedia devices compares the received information relating to measured signal strength characteristic RSSI of wireless messages received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength RSSI associated with the mobile wireless device. Both discovering multimedia devices determine that the received information relating to measured signal strength RSSI of the wireless messages received by the second multimedia device A is greater than the maintained signal strength RSSI that multimedia device B associates with the mobile wireless device.
FIG. 1E is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1D, wherein the first multimedia device B relinquishes reproducing the content received from the server and the second multimedia device A commences reproduction of the content received from the server, because of the determination that the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the first multimedia device B device is less than the maintained signal strength that the second multimedia device A associates with the mobile wireless device. The second multimedia device A begins to play the content stream that it receives from the server because the mobile device in now closer to multimedia device A, whereas the first multimedia device B becomes silent since it is farther from the mobile device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a wireless network of a mobile wireless device moving in the vicinity of two wireless multimedia devices. The mobile device may control music by selecting which song is played from the music server. Multimedia device A and multimedia device B receive a music stream from the server. Multimedia device A and multimedia device B also the measure signal strength of wireless discovery messages from the mobile device. The mobile device does not have to be connected to the multimedia devices, but it may remain a discoverable device. The multimedia devices track the position of the mobile device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a wireless network of a mobile wireless device moving in the vicinity of two wireless multimedia devices. The multimedia devices communicate with the server and the server keeps track of the multimedia devices' measurements of the wireless discovery messages from the mobile device. The server may control which multimedia device is playing and what content is being played. In this example embodiment, the multimedia device only reports its RSSI measurements to the server. The server sends the corresponding content stream to the multimedia device and the server may control the playback, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a wireless network of a mobile wireless device moving in the vicinity of two wireless multimedia devices. When the mobile device moves closer to the multimedia device B, then multimedia device B transmits a report that indicates it is receiving a stronger signal than is being reported by the multimedia device A. Multimedia device B then indicates to multimedia device A that multimedia device B will continue to play the content stream and, in response, multimedia device A stops playing the content stream. An indication of which song is being streamed and the current playing position in the song is reported from multimedia device A to multimedia device B, either together with the RSSI reports or separately in a different report, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example flow diagram for the interaction of mobile wireless device and the multimedia device A, for example. When the Mobile device application is started, the mobile device selects multimedia devices to be incorporated into a play group that will offer the "follow" feature. The group of devices may be based, for example, of a group formed in earlier usages, a group identified from external source, a group formed by the user by selecting known devices, a group based on a search of connectable devices in the network, a group formed from a list of devices received from one or more device, or a combination of these. When multimedia devices are selected, the user may select a song or video and the multimedia device starts playing that song or video, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6A is an example flow diagram for the a multimedia device A that is not currently playing, but begins to play when it determines that its measured RSSI is greater than the other multimedia device's measured RSSI, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is an example flow diagram for the a multimedia device B that is currently playing, but relinquishes playing when it determines that its measured RSSI is less than the other multimedia device's measured RSSI, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example RSSI report packet. The packet may have a header to indicate that this is an RSSI report packet. The UUID field will identify the measured mobile device. The RSSI field will indicated latest RSSI measurement of that device. The SongID field indicates the currently played song and the Song position indicates the playing position, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8B is an illustration of an example flow diagram of an example process in the wireless multimedia device A, carrying out the example operations, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9A is an illustration of an example flow diagram of an example process in the multimedia device B relinquishing reproducing content received over the wireless connection from the server when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device A is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9B is an illustration of an example flow diagram of an example process in the multimedia device A, commencing reproduction of content received over the wireless connection from the server when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless device B is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9C is an illustration of an example flow diagram 960 of an example process in the multimedia device 102B relinquishing reproducing content received from the streaming server 104 based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being less than a predefined signal strength, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9D is an illustration of an example flow diagram 980 of an example process in the multimedia device 102A, commencing reproduction of content received from the streaming server 104 based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being greater than a predefined signal strength, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
D. Bluetooth.TM. Low Energy (LE) Technology
E. Media Selection For Moving User
Page is the initial phase of the connection procedure where a device transmits a train of page messages until a response is received from the target device, stopped by the host or a timeout occurs. Page scan is a procedure where a device listens for page messages received on its page scan physical channel. In forming a connection, the paging device will become the master and the page scan device will become the slave in a piconet. Initially, after the slave has received an inquiry message, an inquiry response packet is transmitted from the slave to the master. The inquiry response packet sent from the slave contains information necessary for the inquiring master to page the slave, such as Bluetooth.TM. device address of the slave device. The necessary information may be received by other means, such as Out-Of-Band pairing. Also the page is not always preceded with inquiry, because the address may be known beforehand (for example saved from previous connections). In the paging procedure, one the Bluetooth.TM. device that will become the master carries out a page procedure by transmitting page messages in connection request packets to the specified Bluetooth.TM. slave device that carries out a page scanning procedure to listen for connection request packets from the paging device. A connectable Bluetooth.TM. device listens for a page request on its page scan channel and, once received, enters into a sequence of exchanges with the paging device. In order for a device to connect to another device, it performs frequency hopping all page scan channel frequencies, sending a page request on each frequency and listening for a response. The page scan channel uses an access code derived from the scanning device's Bluetooth.TM. device address BD_ADDR to identify communications on the channel. The page scan channel uses a slower hopping rate than the hop rate of the paging device, using the Bluetooth.TM. device clock of the scanning device as an input. A device listening on its page scan channel remains passive until it receives a page request from another Bluetooth.TM. device, identified by the page scan channel access code. The two devices will then follow the page procedure to form a connection where the paging device is the master and the page scan device is the slave in a piconet. In order for a paging device to connect to another Bluetooth.TM. device, it uses the page scan channel of the target device in order to send page requests. If the paging device does not know the phase of the target device's page scan channel, it does not know the current hop frequency of the target device. Therefore, the paging device transmits page requests on each of the page scan hop frequencies and listens for a page response. This is done at a faster hop rate, allowing the paging device to cover all page scan frequencies in a short period of time. The paging device may have some knowledge of the target device's Bluetooth.TM. clock, such as indicated during a previous inquiry transaction between the two devices, and may be able to predict the phase of the target device's page scan channel. It may use this information to optimize the synchronization of the paging and page scanning process and speed up the formation of the connection.
5. Bluetooth.TM. RSSI
The TX Power Level data field in the Extended Inquiry Response packet indicates the transmitted power level of the FHS and EIR packets at the transmitter of the sending device. The TX Power Level data field may be used to calculate path loss of a received packet when the receiving device measures the RSSI of the received FHS packet, using the following equation: pathloss=Tx Power Level-RSSI of the inquiry response packet
For example, if Tx Power Level=+4 (dBm) and the RSSI on the inquiry response packet is -60 (dBm) then the total pathloss is +4-(-60)=+64 dB. If a second inquiry response packet were received at -40 dBm with a Tx Power Level data=+15 dBm the resulting pathloss would be +55 dB. An application may use these pathloss values to choose which device it thinks might be closer (the one with the lower pathloss value).
6. Bluetooth.TM. Host Controller Interface
The host controller interface (HCI) is described in the Bluetooth.TM. Core Specification. The Host will receive asynchronous notifications of HCI events from Host Controller Transport Layer. HCI events are used for notifying the Host when something occurs. When the Host discovers that an event has occurred, it will then parse the received event packet to determine which event occurred. The commands and events are sent between the Host and the Controller. These are grouped into logical groups by function.
The inquiry result event indicates that a remote device has responded with an inquiry response (IR), i.e. with an FHS packet, during the current inquiry process. This event will be sent from the Bluetooth.TM. Controller to the Host as soon as an Inquiry Response from a remote device is received. The event parameters in the HCI inquiry result event include BD_ADDR and Class_of_Device of the remote responding device and Clock_Offset OFFSET(A,B) between the responding device and the inquiring device.
The Inquiry Result with RSSI event indicates that a remote Bluetooth device has responded with an inquiry response (FHS) packet during the current Inquiry process. The event reported to the host includes the BD_ADDR address for the device that responded, the Class of Device for the device, the clock offset between the responding device and the receiving device, and the measured RSSI of the received inquiry response packet in units of dB. This is similar to the inquiry result event, but it includes the RSSI value calculated by the controller.
The extended inquiry result event indicates that another Bluetooth.TM. device has responded during the current inquiry process with extended inquiry response data. Data received in this event will be sent from the device's Controller to the Host upon reception of an EIR from a remote device. One single extended inquiry response is returned per event. The event reported to the host includes the received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurement and inquiry response data for the device that responded to the latest inquiry. The RSSI parameter is measured during the FHS packet returned by each responding device. If an extended inquiry response packet from the same remote device is correctly received in a later response, another event is generated. The Extended_Inquiry_Response data fields are not interpreted by the controller. The standard HCI Extended Inquiry Result Event logic performs the HCI extended inquiry result event procedure to extract the data from the received extended inquiry response packet and to send this data to the host application. The received EIR data extracted from the packet may be passed unaltered to the host application.
The RSSI parameter in the Read RSSI command is a signed 8-bit value, and is interpreted as an indication of arriving signal strength at the antenna measured in dBm. This command reads the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value from the Controller. For a Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) Controller, a Connection_Handle is used as the Handle command parameter and return parameter. The RSSI parameter returns the difference between the measured Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) and the limits of the Golden Receive Power Range for a Connection_Handle to another BR/EDR Controller. The Connection_Handle must be a Connection_Handle for an ACL connection. Any positive RSSI value returned by the Controller indicates how many dB the RSSI is above the upper limit, any negative value indicates how many dB the RSSI is below the lower limit. The value zero indicates that the RSSI is inside the 20 dB-wide Golden Receive Power Range. The accuracy of the dB values will depend on the Bluetooth hardware. The only requirements for the hardware are that the BR/EDR Controller is able to tell whether the RSSI is inside, above or below the Golden Device Power Range. The RSSI measurement compares the received signal power with two threshold levels, which define the Golden Receive Power Range. The lower threshold level corresponds to a received power between -56 dBm and 6 dB above the actual sensitivity of the receiver. The upper threshold level is 20 dB above the lower threshold level to an accuracy of +/-6 dB. The meaning of the RSSI metric is an absolute receiver signal strength value in dBm to .+-.6 dBm accuracy. If the RSSI cannot be read, the RSSI metric is set to 127. (When the Read_RSSI command has completed, a Command Complete event is generated.)
The Bluetooth controller in an inquiring device reports the receipt of inquiry responses to its host, which also has Touch selection software running Typical response criteria may include RSSI values measured on the responses, being sensed above certain fixed threshold value, such as -30 dBm. Sensing a response packet having an RSSI of -30 dBm will then cause the Touch selection software in the inquiring device to trigger device selection, while an RSSI of -31 dBm will not. It may also be possible that responding inquiry scanning devices may send Tx power information in EIR packet, since this is an existing feature in the Bluetooth specification v4.0. In instances where Tx power information about the inquiry scanning device is available in the EIR packet, the predetermined response criteria may include an adjustable RSSI threshold value that accounts for variations in the Tx power. For example, the threshold value may be set at 30 dBm below the EIR Tx power, so that if the Tx power level in an FHS packet is +20 dBm then the threshold value that will trigger selection may be the FHS packet being measured at -10 dBm, or 30 dBm below of Tx power level. Secondly, to ensure that devices are maintained in close proximity, the predetermined response criteria may require that more than one EIR must have a sensed RSSI at or above a threshold value. In addition different thresholds may be used for different phases, for example, first the threshold value may be set above -45 dBm to select one or more candidate devices and then a second, more decisive threshold value may be set above -30 dBm.
The Bluetooth.TM. Core Specification, Version 4.0 includes the Bluetooth LE protocol for products that require lower power consumption, lower complexity, and lower cost than would be possible using the BR/EDR protocol. Bluetooth LE is designed for applications requiring lower data rates and shorter duty cycles, with a very-low power idle mode, a simple device discovery, and short data packets. Bluetooth LE devices may employ a star topology, where one device serves as a master for a plurality of slave devices, the master dictating connection timing by establishing the start time of the first connection event and the slave devices transmitting packets only to the master upon receiving a packet from the master. According to Bluetooth LE communication protocol all connections are point-to-point connections between two devices (the master and the slave).
In the Bluetooth.TM. Core Specification, Version 4.0, there are four advertising event types: connectable undirected advertising (ADV_IND), connectable directed advertising (ADV_DIRECT_IND), scannable undirected advertising (ADV_SCAN_IND), and non-connectable undirected advertising (ADV_NONCONN_IND). At the start of each advertising event, the advertiser sends an advertising packet corresponding to the advertising event type. The header of the advertising channel packet identifies the packet type in a four-bit PDU Type field encoding. There are seven values currently assigned to the four-bit PDU Type field, ranging from 0000 to 0110, with the values 0111 to 1111 being reserved for future use.
In the Bluetooth.TM. Core Specification, Version 4.0, if the advertiser is using a connectable advertising event, an initiator may make a connection request using the same advertising PHY channel on which it received the connectable advertising packet. The advertising event is ended and connection events begin if the advertiser receives and accepts the request for a connection to be initiated. Once a connection is established, the initiator becomes the master device in a piconet and the advertising device becomes the slave device. Within a connection event, the master and slave alternate sending data packets using the same data PHY channel.
According to the Bluetooth Specification V4.0, Bluetooth LE device discovery involves different operational processes for devices with different roles. In particular: Slave Device, being an advertiser, performs an advertising process during which the device repeatedly enters Advertising Events. The interval of each start of Advertising Event, Ta, composes of a fixed-length "advInterval" and a random-length "advDelay". In Advertising Event, the device sends advertising Packet Data Units (PDUs) in broadcasting channel 37, 38 and 39, respectively. Master Device, being an initiator/scanner, performs the initiating/scanning process. An initiating/scanning process consists of repeated "scanInterval", each of which contains a "scanWindow". In a different "scanWindow", the device changes the RF module to receive the state and listens to advertising PDUs on different broadcasting channels; while out of the "scanWindow", it does routine scheduling, or turns off the RF module. If any advertising PDU is received by an initiator/scanner, it means the initiator/scanner successfully discovers the advertising device. For the initiator, it can directly send back a "CONN_REQ" to establish a connection with that advertiser. For a scanner, it can send out a "SCAN_REQ" to ask for more information from that advertiser.
When the controller receives an advertising packet, an HCI LE Advertising Report event is sent by the controller to the host application. The HCI LE Advertising Report event indicates that a Bluetooth device or multiple Bluetooth devices have been detected during an active scan or during a passive scan. The HCI LE Advertising Report event includes a parameter N that indicates the RSSI of the received packet, with N being one octet representing the magnitude of the RSSI, with a range in units of dBm of -127.ltoreq.N.ltoreq.+20. This event will be sent from the Controller to the Host as soon as an advertising packet from a remote device is received. The RSSI parameter is measured during the receipt of the advertising packet. This event contains RSSI and advertising packet data for the remote device.
It would be desirable to have a media device, such as an audio speaker, video device or gaming device, that is able to track the movement or proximity of the user's mobile device. It would be desirable to have a media device, such as an audio speaker, video device or gaming device, share this tracking information with other media devices. It would be desirable to have the media devices that are sharing this information, to compare the information on the movement of the user's mobile device and to select which media device would be the closest one to stream the playback of the media to the user.
As an example use case, it is enjoyable to listen to music or watch a video easily wherever the listener moves. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, music, video, or gaming content may be automatically distributed and switched between different audio output devices or video devices so that the presentation is played by the closest playback device. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, a playback device, such as a wireless audio speaker, video device, or other multimedia device, may scan for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the playback device is connected to a server. The playback device may reproduce the content received over the wireless connection from the server. The playback device may maintain the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device. The playback device may receive information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by another wireless playback device from the mobile wireless device. The playback device may compare the received information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device, with the maintained signal strength it associates with the mobile wireless device. The playback device may relinquish reproducing the content received over the wireless connection from the server when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device, may be received from at least one of the other wireless playback device or the server. The playback device may relinquish reproducing content received from the server when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the first wireless device, by a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval. The wireless messages are at least one of a Bluetooth inquiry response message or a Bluetooth Low Energy advertising message. The playback device and the other wireless playback device may be audio output devices, video devices, or other multimedia devices, including at least one of speakers and headphones, video devices, or gaming devices.
In accordance with another example embodiment of the invention, a playback device may scan for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the playback device is connected to a server. The playback device may maintain measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device. The playback device may receive information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by another wireless playback device from the mobile wireless device, wherein the other wireless playback device is currently reproducing content it receives over a connection from the server. The playback device may compare the received information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device, with the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device. The playback device commence reproduction of content received from the server when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device. The information relating to a measured signal strength of wireless messages received by the other wireless playback device, may be received from at least one of the other wireless playback device or the server.
Short-range communication, such as the Bluetooth communication protocol, may be automatically distributed and switched between different wireless devices based on the proximity of the wireless device. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, an internal Touch-to-Select (T2S) principle enables Bluetooth devices to select a counterpart device for communication using a device selection scheme where the communication counterpart is selected based on a determined distance between the devices.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, dedicated device discovery is employed during a service a connection, where a playback device monitors the signal strength of a mobile wireless device while in a service communication session with a server that is streaming content to the playback device. The playback device may automatically relinquish playing the content received over the service connection from the server, based on measured signal strengths of the device discovery messages from the mobile wireless device. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, while the playback device is playing content received in a communication session with the streaming server, signal strengths of the mobile wireless device are compared with information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by another playback wireless device. The playback device may relinquish playing the content and the other playback device may commence playing the content from the server, based on the largest measured signal strength for the device discovery messages from the mobile wireless device, which corresponds to the smallest distance to the mobile wireless device. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the signal strength may be compared within a predefined margin or by a predefined margin for a predefined interval. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the events of relinquishing and commencement of playing the content may also include a predefined delay before the actual event occurs between playback devices, so as to avoid unwanted hysteresis effects during unstable conditions.
FIG. 1A is an illustration of an example embodiment of a network in a device discovery phase, with at least two discovering devices, such as audio speakers and/or video devices or other multimedia devices 102A and 102B, each detecting wireless device discovery messages 150 received from a mobile wireless device 100. A multimedia device includes, in accordance with at least one example embodiment, at least an individual audio speaker or display device. Each multimedia device 102A and 102B is scanning for wireless messages 150 associated with the presence of the mobile wireless device 100, while at the same time each multimedia device 102A and 102B is respectively connected over a wireless connection 107 and 109 to a streaming server 104 that streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B. Alternately, each multimedia device 102A and 102B may be respectively connected over a wired connection 107 and 109 to the streaming server 104, or alternately, it may be a combination of wired and wireless technologies. Alternately, one of the multimedia devices, for example multimedia device 102A, may include the server 104. Since the mobile device 100 was previously closer to the first multimedia device 102B, of the two multimedia devices, that previously closer multimedia device 102B is playing the content stream that it receives over connection 109 from the server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent. Both multimedia devices 102A and 102B continue to be connected over the respective connections 107 and 109 to the streaming server 104 and continue to receive their respective streaming contents, but only the first multimedia device 102B is playing the content that it receives in FIG. 1A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
The mobile wireless device 100, such as a smart phone, transmits wireless device discovery messages 150. The multimedia devices 102A and 102B, scan for wireless device discovery messages 150. In an example embodiment of the invention, the wireless device discovery messages 150 may be a Bluetooth.TM. inquiry response message transmitted by the mobile wireless device 100 in response to an inquiry message transmitted by at least one of the multimedia devices 102A and 102B. In an example embodiment of the invention, the wireless device discovery messages 150 may be a Bluetooth.TM. Low Energy advertising message transmitted by the mobile wireless device 100.
In example embodiments of the invention, the wireless mobile device 100 and the multimedia devices 102A and 102B may include a processor 122 that includes from one to many central processing units (CPUs) 124 and/or 125, a random access memory (RAM) 126, a read only memory (ROM) 127, and interface circuits 128 to interface with one or more radio transceivers 116, antenna 132, 170A, or 170B, and battery or house power sources. A smart phone may include a keypad, display 144, etc. A wireless multimedia device may include a video display device 142A and 142B and/or an audio output port 144A and 144B. The RAM and ROM can be removable memory devices such as smart cards, SIMs, WIMs, semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, PROMS, flash memory devices, etc., as shown in FIG. 10. In an example embodiment of the invention, the RAM 126 in the multimedia devices 102A and 102B may store a measurement of the characteristic RSSI of received wireless device discovery messages, such as 150.
In an example embodiment of the invention, the Bluetooth mobile wireless device 100 and the wireless multimedia devices 102A and 102B may include control stack 115 that includes a host controller interface (HCI) 111 that provides a command interface between the host respective application 110, 110A, and 110B in the device and the link layer or MAC 114. The control stack 115, also referred to as the controller, to enables access to hardware status and control registers of the Bluetooth radio 116. The host controller interface (HCI) is described in the Bluetooth.TM. Core Specification. The Host application 110, 110A, and 110B will receive asynchronous notifications of HCI events from HCI 111. HCI events are used for notifying the Host application 110, 110A, and 110B when something occurs. When the Host application discovers that an event has occurred, it will then parse the received event packet to determine which event occurred. The commands and events are sent between the Host application 110, 110A, and 110B and the radio 116. The HCI 111 provides a command interface between the host application 110, 110A, and 110B in a device and the Bluetooth link layer or MAC 114, provides access to hardware status and control registers of the radio 116, and provides a uniform method of accessing the Bluetooth baseband capabilities. In an example embodiment of the invention, the MAC 114 may be the Bluetooth basic rate/enhanced data rate (BR/EDR) protocol, the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) protocol, or both protocols.
In another example embodiment of the invention, the mobile wireless device 100 outputs Bluetooth protocol data units (PDU) or packets, such as inquiry response packets 150, for Bluetooth transmission. During Bluetooth transmission, the RF signal is transmitted by the antenna 132.
In an example embodiment of the invention, the mobile wireless device 100 may be, for example, a miniature device such as a key fob, smart card, jewelry, or the like. In an example embodiment of the invention, the mobile wireless device 100 may be, for example, a relatively larger cell phone, smart phone, flip-phone, PDA, graphic pad. The mobile wireless device 100 may also be in an automobile or other vehicle. The wireless multimedia devices 102A and 102B may be, for example, audio speakers, video displays, or gaming devices that are either in a fixed position or mobile. In embodiments, the relative sizes of devices 100, 102A and 102B may be arbitrary.
FIG. 1B is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1A, wherein the mobile wireless device 100 has moved closer to the second multimedia device 102A than to the first multimedia device 102B. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B measures a signal strength characteristic RSSI of its received wireless device discovery message 150. Each discovering multimedia device stores and maintains in its RAM 126 the characteristic RSSI of the wireless device discovery message 150 that it receives. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B keeps on tracking the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and updates the stored value, respectively.
FIG. 1C is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1B, wherein each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B exchanges information relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI, with the other multimedia device by exchanging wireless messages 155. The multimedia devices 102A and 102B may alternately be connected together by a wired connection or a combination of wireless and wired technologies. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B keeps on tracking the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and updates the stored value, respectively.
In an example embodiment of the invention, the streaming server 104 streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B. The control server 103 that controls the switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B is locate in the multimedia device 102A and/or 102B. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B sends to the control server 103, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the streaming server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B continue to report to the control server 103, the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and the streaming server 104 updates the stored values, respectively. The control server 103 may locate statically in one device or its location can change dynamically, for example, when device including control server 103 is turned off.
In another example embodiment of the invention, the streaming server 104 streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B and the separate control server 103 controls the switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B, via the Control A and Control B links. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B sends to the control server 103, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the streaming server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B continue to report to the control server 103, the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and the streaming server 104 updates the stored values, respectively.
In another example embodiment of the invention, a server 105 includes both the streaming server 104 and a control server 103. In this example embodiment, the streaming server 104 streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B and the control server controls the switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B, via the Control A and Control B links. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B sends to the control server 103, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the streaming server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B continue to report to the control server 103, the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and the control server 103 updates the stored values, respectively.
In another example embodiment of the invention, a server 105 including both the streaming server 104 and a control server 103 is located in multimedia device 102A and/or 102B. In this example embodiment, the streaming server 104 streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B and the control server controls the switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B, via the Control A and Control B links. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B sends to the control server 103, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the streaming server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B continue to report to the control server 103, the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and the control server 103 updates the stored values, respectively.
FIG. 1D is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1C, wherein each of the discovering multimedia devices 102A and 102B compares the received information relating to measured signal strength characteristic RSSI of wireless messages 150 received by the other wireless device, with the maintained signal strength RSSI associated with the mobile wireless device 100. Both discovering multimedia devices 102A and 102B determine that the received information relating to measured signal strength RSSI of the wireless messages 150 received by the second multimedia device 102A is greater than the maintained signal strength RSSI that multimedia device 102B associates with the mobile wireless device 100, because the mobile wireless device 100 has moved closer to the second multimedia device 102A than to the first multimedia device 102B.
FIG. 1E is an illustration of an example embodiment of the network of FIG. 1D, wherein the first multimedia device 102B relinquishes reproducing the content B received over the connection 109 from the server 104 and the second multimedia device 102A commences reproduction of the content A received over the connection 107 from the server 104, because of the determination that the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages 150 received by the first multimedia device 102B is less than the maintained signal strength that the second multimedia device 102A associates with the mobile wireless device 100. The second multimedia device 102A begins to play the content stream A that it receives from the server 104 over connection 107, because the mobile wireless device 100 is now closer to multimedia device 102A. The first multimedia device 102B becomes silent since it is farther from the mobile wireless device 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
In an example use case, the first multimedia device 102B may be a TV set, PC, laptop, or any other device having multimedia output capability located in the user's living room, and having network connectivity. The first multimedia device 102B is playing a movie video and the content is being streamed from the streaming server 104 located in the living room or elsewhere in the home. The user carries the mobile wireless device 100 that may be, for example, a key fob, smart card, smart phone, or the like. The second multimedia device 102A may be for example a second TV set that is located in the user's family room and is currently silent. As the user walks from the living room to the family room, each multimedia device 102A and 102B keeps on tracking the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from its discovery messages 150. Each multimedia device 102A and 102B updates the stored RSSI value, respectively. As the user leaves the living room and approaches the family room, the first multimedia device 102B relinquishes playing the movie video content received from the streaming server 104 and the second multimedia device 102A commences playing the movie video content that it receives from the streaming server 104. Each multimedia device 102A and 102B has respectively determined that the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages 150 received by the first multimedia device 102B is less than the maintained signal strength that the second multimedia device 102A associates with the mobile wireless device 100. The second multimedia device 102A begins to play the content that it receives from the server 104, because the user and the mobile wireless device 100 are now closer to multimedia device 102A in the family room.
In another example embodiment, the mobile wireless device 100 that the user is carrying is a third multimedia device, such as a small electronic tablet device capable of receiving and playing video streams. A control server 103, tracks the relative position of the user's mobile wireless device 100 and when the first multimedia device 102A and second multimedia device 102B report that the user is beyond a predetermined distance to the devices 102A and 102B, the control server 103 activates the small electronic tablet device carried by the user, to play the movie video content. When the user approaches the family room, the control server 103, determines that the user is sufficiently close to the second multimedia device 102B and thus the control server 103 activates the second multimedia device 102B, to play the movie video content.
In another example embodiment, the mobile wireless device 100 that the user is carrying is a third multimedia device that tracks the relative position of the user's mobile wireless device 100. The third multimedia device may be a small electronic tablet device capable of receiving and playing video streams. When the first multimedia device 102A and second multimedia device 102B report that the user is beyond a predetermined distance to the devices 102A and 102B, the mobile wireless device 100 activates itself to play the movie video content. When the user approaches the family room, the mobile wireless device 100 determines that the user is sufficiently close to the second multimedia device 102B and thus the mobile wireless device 100 activates the second multimedia device 102B, to play the movie video content.
In an example alternate embodiment of the invention, there may be a predefined signal strength RSSI threshold that will initiate switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B. In this example embodiment of the invention, the server 105 includes both the streaming server 104 and a control server 103. In this example embodiment, the streaming server 104 streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B and either the control server 103 or the streaming server 104 controls the switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B, via the Control A and Control B links. Each discovering multimedia device 102A and 102B sends to the control server 103 or the streaming server 104, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the streaming server 104, while the other multimedia device 102A is silent. The first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B continue to report to the control server 103 or the streaming server 104, the RSSI of the mobile wireless device 100 from discovery messages 150 and the control server 103 or the streaming server 104 updates the stored values, respectively. The control server 103 or the streaming server 104 compares the reported RSSI values with a predefined signal strength RSSI threshold that will initiate switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B. If the threshold is exceeded by the second multimedia device 102A, the control server 103 or the streaming server 104 signals the first multimedia device 102B over the Control B link, to relinquish reproducing the content B received over the connection 109 from the server 104. The control server 103 or the streaming server 104 then signals the second multimedia device 102A to commence reproduction of the content A received over the connection 107 from the server 104, because of the determination by the control server 103 or the streaming server 104 that the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages 150 received by the second multimedia device 102A exceeds the predefined signal strength RSSI threshold that will initiate switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B, because the mobile wireless device 100 is now closer to multimedia device 102A. The first multimedia device 102B becomes silent since it is farther from the mobile wireless device 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
In an example alternate embodiment of the invention, one of the multimedia devices 102A, includes control server 103. In this example embodiment, the streaming server 104 streams content to both multimedia devices 102A and 102B and the control server 103 in the multimedia device 102A, controls the switching of the content between the first and the second multimedia devices 102A and 102B. The multimedia device 102B sends to the control server 103 in the multimedia device 102A, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The multimedia device 102A provides to the control server 103 within itself, a report relating to its measured signal strength characteristic RSSI. The control server 103 within multimedia device 102A, continues updating the stored values. The previously closer multimedia device 102B continues to play the content stream B that it receives from the streaming server 104, while the multimedia device 102A is silent. The multimedia device 102B relinquishes reproducing the content received over from the streaming server 104 and the multimedia device 102A commences reproduction of the content received from the streaming server 104, because of the determination by the control server 103 within the multimedia device 102A, that the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages 150 received by the multimedia device 102B is less than the maintained signal strength that the control server 103 has stored from the multimedia device 102A. The multimedia device 102A begins to play the content stream that it receives from the streaming server 104, because the mobile wireless device 100 is now closer to multimedia device 102A. The multimedia device 102B becomes silent since it is farther from the mobile wireless device 100. Both the streaming server and the control sever may also be placed into the multimedia device, such as device 102A.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a wireless network of a mobile wireless device 100 moving in the vicinity of two multimedia devices 102A and 102B. The mobile device may control music by selecting which song is played from the music server 104. Multimedia device 102A and multimedia device 102B receive a music stream from the server 104. Multimedia device 102A and multimedia device 102B also the measure signal strength of wireless discovery messages 150 from the mobile device 100. The mobile device 100 does not have to be connected to the multimedia devices 102A and 102B, but it may remain an advertising device. The multimedia devices 102A and 102B track the position of the mobile device 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a wireless network of a mobile wireless device 100 moving in the vicinity of two multimedia devices 102A and 102B. The multimedia devices 102A and 102B communicate with the server 105 and the server 105 keeps track of the multimedia devices' measurements of the wireless discovery messages 150 from the mobile device 100. The server 150 may control which multimedia device 102A or 102B is playing and what content is being played. In this example embodiment, the multimedia device only reports its RSSI measurements to the server 105. The server 105 sends the corresponding content stream to the multimedia device and the server 105 may control the playback, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a wireless network of a mobile wireless device 100 moving in the vicinity of two multimedia devices 102A and 102B. When the mobile device 100 moves closer to the multimedia device 102B, then multimedia device 102B transmits a report that indicates it is receiving a stronger signal than is being reported by the multimedia device 102A. Multimedia device 102B then indicates to multimedia device 102A that multimedia device 102B will continue to play the content stream B and, in response, multimedia device 102A stops playing the content stream A. An indication of which song is being streamed and the current playing position in the song is reported from multimedia device 102A to multimedia device 102B, either together with the RSSI reports or separately in a different report, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example flow diagram for the interaction of mobile wireless device 100 and the multimedia device 102A, for example. When the Mobile device application is started, the mobile device 100 selects in steps 502 and 504 which of the multimedia devices is to be incorporated into a play group that will offer the "follow" feature. The group of devices may be based, for example, of a group formed in earlier usages, a group identified from external source, a group formed by the user by selecting known devices, a group based on a search of connectable devices in the network, a group formed from a list of devices received from one or more device, or a combination of these. When multimedia devices are selected for the group, the user may select a song at step 506 and the wireless mobile device 100 starts transmitting Bluetooth LE advertising packets. The multimedia device 102A memorizes the identity of the wireless mobile device at step 510. The multimedia device 102A connects to the music streaming service of the server 105 and selects the song or video to play at step 512. The multimedia device 102A measures the RSSI of the advertising packets that it receives from the wireless mobile device 100 at step 514. The multimedia device 102A then selects the multimedia device and starts playing the audio stream from the server at step 516, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6A is an example flow diagram for the a multimedia device 102A that is not currently playing, but begins to play when it determines that its measured RSSI is greater than the other multimedia device's measured RSSI. In step 602, multimedia device 102A measures the RSSI from mobile device 100 and reports the measured RSSI to other multimedia devices. In step 604, the measured RSSI is determined to be greater than the RSSI reported by any other multimedia device. In step 606, the multimedia device 102A asks the multimedia device 102B to stop its currently playing and the multimedia device 102A then begins to play the content streamed by the server, continuing from where the multimedia device 102B stopped, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is an example flow diagram for the a multimedia device B that is currently playing, but relinquishes playing when it determines that its measured RSSI is less than the other multimedia device's measured RSSI. In step 610, multimedia device 102B measures the RSSI from mobile device 100 and reports the measured RSSI to other multimedia devices. In step 612, multimedia device 102B receives a stop request from multimedia device 102A, since multimedia device A reports that its measured RSSI is determined to be greater than the RSSI measured by multimedia device 102B. In step 614, multimedia device B stops playing the content streamed by the server, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example RSSI report packet transmitted by each multimedia device 102A and 102B. The packet 700 may have a header 702 to indicate that this is an RSSI report packet. The UUID field 704 will identify the measured mobile device 100. The RSSI field 706 will indicated latest RSSI measurement of that device. The SongID field 708 indicates the currently played song and the Song position field 710 indicates the playing position, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is an illustration of an example flow diagram of an example alternate process in the mobile wireless device 100 carrying out example alternate operations, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. In Step 802 the mobile wireless device 100 measures the RSSI of the multimedia device 102A. In Step 804 the mobile wireless device 100 determines if switch conditions have been fulfilled. In Step 806 the mobile wireless device 100 sends switch information to the multimedia devices.
FIG. 8B is an illustration of an example flow diagram of an example alternate process in the wireless multimedia device 102A, carrying out example alternate operations, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. In step 810, the multimedia device 102A receives a switch request from the mobile wireless device 100. In step 812, the multimedia device 102A switches the audio stream to the requested multimedia device.
FIG. 9A is an illustration of an example flow diagram 900 of an example process in the multimedia device 102B relinquishing reproducing content received from the server 105 when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages 150 received by the other multimedia device 102A is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the multimedia device 102B, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU) 125, carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. The steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps. The flow diagram has the following steps:
Step 902: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
Step 904: reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server;
Step 906: maintaining, by the apparatus, measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
Step 908: relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproducing content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of wireless messages received by another wireless device from the mobile wireless device is greater than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
FIG. 9B is an illustration of an example flow diagram 950 of an example process in the multimedia device 102A, commencing reproduction of content received from the server when the received information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by the other multimedia device 102B is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the multimedia device 102A, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU) 125, carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. The steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps. The flow diagram has the following steps:
Step 952: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
Step 954: maintaining, by the apparatus, measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
Step 956: commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on information relating to measured signal strength of the wireless messages received by another device from the mobile wireless device is less than the maintained signal strength associated with the mobile wireless device.
FIG. 9C is an illustration of an example flow diagram 960 of an example process in the multimedia device 102B relinquishing reproducing content received from the streaming server 104 based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being less than a predefined signal strength, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the multimedia device 102B, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU) 125, carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. The steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps. The flow diagram has the following steps:
Step 962: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
Step 964: reproducing, by the apparatus, content received from the server;
Step 966: maintaining, by the apparatus, measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
Step 968: relinquishing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being less than a predefined signal strength.
FIG. 9D is an illustration of an example flow diagram 980 of an example process in the multimedia device 102A, commencing reproduction of content received from the streaming server 104 based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being greater than a predefined signal strength, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory of the multimedia device 102A, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU) 125, carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. The steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps. The flow diagram has the following steps:
Step 982: scanning, by an apparatus, for wireless messages associated with presence of a mobile wireless device, while the apparatus is connected to a server;
Step 984: maintaining, by the apparatus, measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device; and
Step 986: commencing, by the apparatus, reproduction of content received from the server based on the measured signal strength of wireless messages received from the mobile wireless device being greater than a predefined signal strength.
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