Abstract:
Output devices or systems, such as televisions, speakers, projectors, or output controllers, are herein disclosed and enabled for receiving digital content from a digital content service operated, at least partly, over the Internet. The disclosed output device includes wireless communication circuitry and an interface. To set up the output device for receiving and playing digital content, the output device first receives, via the interface, security information, then establishes a wireless local area network connection employing the received security information. Subsequent to having established the wireless local area network connection and using the wireless communication circuitry, the output device connects to a server over a network for downloading and installing software applications or software components for upgrading or modifying the capabilities of the output device. Thereafter, the output device is setup for receiving the digital content from the digital content service using the downloaded and installed software components.
Abstract:
A method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) and an output system having an interface operable by a user and at least a speaker (e.g., audio output device) are herein disclosed and enabled. The method comprises using the interface of the output system to receive an indication from the user to initiate wireless discovery based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output system. The method additionally comprises using the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly (1) discover the output system, (2) establish a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, and (3) transmit audio output data from the mobile information apparatus to the output system over the established wireless communication link. The output system uses the speaker to output or play at least part of the wirelessly received audio output data.
Abstract:
A wireless device that includes a wireless communication unit compatible with at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 for establishing a wireless local area network is herein disclosed and enabled. To connect the wireless device to a wireless local area network, the wireless device may first establish a Bluetooth connection with a mobile information apparatus, such as smart phone or information pad. Subsequently, the wireless device receives a password or authentication information from the mobile information apparatus for accessing the wireless local area network. Thereafter, the wireless device is connected for receiving or transmitting digital content over the wireless local area network. Additionally, the wireless device may further be connected to the Internet for accessing a service operated over the Internet via the wireless local area network. The wireless device may further receive identification or authentication information automatically from the mobile information apparatus for accessing the service over Internet.
Abstract:
New Internet-Pad specifications that include voice activated command functions are disclosed and enabled. The Internet-Pad may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a wireless communication unit, an operating system, a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and an application for playing audio or video content. The Internet-Pad operating system supports an application programming interface (API). A user can install additional applications. The Internet-Pad may further include a microphone and a speaker for interacting via voice commands with the user. In some examples, the user may take a picture with the digital camera included in the Internet-Pad and transfer or synchronize the picture to a wireless output device. In other examples, the Internet-Pad may transmit an e-mail upon receiving voice commands, and the Internet-Pad also may stream or mirror digital content over the air to an output device via voice commands.
Abstract:
A wireless output device for connecting to a wireless local area network and receiving digital content from servers over a network that includes the Internet is herein disclosed and enabled. The wireless output device may include, among others, a television, a speaker, a projector, or an output controller. The wireless output device includes an interface and wireless communication units. The wireless communication units of the wireless output device may receive information from a portable electronic device. The wireless output device may further receive the digital content from one or more application servers or content servers operated over the Internet by a digital content service. The digital content may include audio digital content or video digital content. The output device may process the received digital content and render the processed digital content onto a display medium.
Abstract:
An information apparatus that supports a touch sensitive screen for managing e-mails is disclosed and enabled. The information apparatus may include a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and applications for playing audio/video content. The information apparatus includes an operating system software and support for installation of new applications. In one example, a user of the information apparatus may reply to an e-mail by selecting an item over the touch sensitive screen. The user may scroll down or up an email using the touch sensitive screen. In other examples, the user may further select an item or functional control via the touch sensitive screen to output, synchronize, stream, transmit, play, print, display, or mirror at least part of digital content from the information apparatus to one or more output devices over air.
Abstract:
Information apparatus specifications that include voice activated command functions are disclosed and enabled. The information apparatus may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a wireless communication unit, an operating system, a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and an application for playing audio or video content. The information apparatus operating system supports an application programming interface (API). A user can install additional applications. The information apparatus may further include a microphone and a speaker for interacting via voice commands with the user. In some examples, the user may take a picture with the digital camera included in the information apparatus and transfer or synchronize the picture to a wireless output device. In other examples, the information apparatus may further wirelessly play, print, stream, or mirror digital content, via the touch sensitive screen, to an output device.
Abstract:
Anonymous voice communication between a first station and a second station is facilitated by providing an interface that allows input of a transaction specification from at least one of the first and second stations. A reference code associated with the transaction is generated, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the address of the second station for voice communication. The reference code is supplied to the first station, and a voice communication request and the reference code are received from the first station. The reference code is used to recover said address and a channel for voice communication is opened between said first and second stations. Voice communication can thereby be established between the first and second stations without providing the address of the second station to the first station. An Internet-based service system for data mining user information is herein disclosed and enabled. The disclosed service may facilitate users posting information, advertising products or services, connecting to other users, and making transactions over the Internet. Data obtained from each transaction submitted through the service are data mined. The collected data may include personal information, private data, interests, intellectual property, and the like. To create transactions, the service system may create a proposed transaction specifying a transaction between a first and a second parties based, at least in part, on data mining the first party's history of transactions. The service system may transmit a reference code to the first party related to the proposed transaction, and wait to receive a communication request from the first party employing the reference code. The reference code may include text, image(s), video(s), audio, or communication link(s), and the proposed transaction may be an advertisement.
Abstract:
Software applications and information apparatus supporting output of digital content over a network (e.g., Internet) to an output device (e.g., printer) are herein disclosed and enabled. To output digital content, an application for accessing a service provided over the network is installed at the information apparatus, the information apparatus discovers the output device that is in the same local area network (e.g., via IEEE 802.11) as the information apparatus, output device information is received from the discovered output device, and the output device information is transmitted to the service for registering the output device. Subsequent to registration, an application (e.g., Internet browser, email, document) at the information apparatus, having appropriate security or authentication information, may transmit digital content to the service to output the digital content at the registered output device. The output of digital content does not require a device specific driver to be installed in the information apparatus.
Abstract:
Information apparatus specifications that include voice activated command functions are disclosed and enabled. The information apparatus may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a wireless communication unit, an operating system, a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and an application for playing audio or video content. The information apparatus operating system supports an application programming interface (API). A user can install additional applications. The information apparatus may further include a microphone and a speaker for interacting via voice commands with the user. In some examples, the user may take a picture with the digital camera included in the information apparatus and transfer or synchronize the picture to a wireless output device. In other examples, the information apparatus may further wirelessly play, print, stream, or mirror digital content, via the touch sensitive screen, to an output device.