Interactive video distribution systems – Local video distribution system – Multiunit or multiroom structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-26
2001-07-17
Grant, Chris (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
Local video distribution system
Multiunit or multiroom structure
C725S082000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263503
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to enhanced television systems, and relates more particularly to a method for effectively implementing a wireless television system.
2. Description of the Background Art
Developing an effective method for implementing enhanced television systems is a significant consideration for contemporary television designers and manufacturers. In conventional television systems, a display device may be utilized to view program information received from a program source. The conventional display device is typically positioned in a stationary location because of restrictions imposed by various physical connections that electrically couple the display device to input devices, output devices, and operating power. Other considerations such as display size and display weight may also significantly restrict viewer mobility in traditional television systems.
Portable television displays may advantageously provide viewers with additional flexibility when choosing an appropriate viewing location. For example, in a home environment, a portable television may readily be relocated to view programming at various remote locations throughout the home. A user may thus flexibly view television programming, even while performing other tasks in locations that are remote from a stationary display device.
However, portable television systems typically possess certain detrimental operational characteristics that diminish their effectiveness for use in modern television systems. For example, in order to eliminate restrictive physical connections, portable televisions typically receive television signals that are propagated from a remote terrestrial television transmitter to an antenna that is integral with the portable television. Because of the size and positioning constraints associated with a portable antenna, such portable televisions typically exhibit relatively poor reception characteristics, and the subsequent display of the transmitted television signals is therefore often of inadequate quality.
Other factors and considerations are also relevant to effectively implementing an enhanced wireless television system. For example, the evolution of digital data network technology and wireless digital broadcasting techniques may provide additional flexibility and increased quality to portable television systems. However, current wireless data networks typically are not optimized for flexible transmission and reception of video information.
Furthermore, a significant proliferation in the number of potential program sources (both analog and digital) may benefit a system user by providing an abundance of program material for selective viewing. In particular, an economical wireless television system for flexible home use may enable television viewers to significantly improve their television-viewing experience by facilitating portability while simultaneously providing an increased number of program source selections.
However, because of the substantially increased system complexity, such an enhanced wireless television system may require additional resources for effectively managing the control and interaction of various system components and functionalities. Therefore, for all the foregoing reasons, developing an effective method for implementing enhanced television systems remains a significant consideration for designers and manufacturers of contemporary television systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a method is disclosed for effectively implementing a wireless television system. In one embodiment of the present invention, initially, a wireless television system provides one or more program sources to a wireless base station that preferably differentiates the various types of program sources depending on whether the program source includes any combination of digital A/V data, analog video, or analog audio information.
If the program source includes digital A/V data, then, the wireless base station preferably formats the digital A/V data into an appropriate format, and provides the formatted data to a subsystem processor in the wireless base station. The subsystem processor responsively processes the formatted data to generate processed data (for example, by transcoding).
Similarly, if the program source includes analog video, then, the wireless base station preferably formats the analog video into an appropriate format, and provides the formatted video to the subsystem processor. The subsystem processor then responsively processes the formatted video to generate processed video.
In addition, if the program source includes analog audio, then, the wireless base station preferably formats the analog audio into an appropriate format, and provides the formatted audio to the subsystem processor. The subsystem processor then responsively processes the formatted audio to generate processed audio.
Next, the subsystem processor preferably combines the processed audio, video, and data into a processed stream. A communications processor then receives the processed stream, and responsively performs a wireless network processing procedure to generate a transmitter-ready stream. Finally, a transmitter device receives and modulates the transmitter-ready stream, and advantageously performs a wireless network transmission process to propagate a broadcast stream to a remote TV, a remote controller, an auxiliary base station, or any other compatible display receiver device, in accordance with the present invention.
The remote TV (or any other compatible display receiver device) preferably receives the broadcast stream from the wireless base station. A RF subsystem in the remote TV then preferably performs a wireless network processing procedure to generate a baseband stream. The foregoing wireless network processing procedure may include various appropriate techniques, such as demodulation and down-conversion of the broadcast stream propagated from the wireless base station.
An A/V decoder then preferably receives and demultiplexes the baseband stream into separate components which may include separate data, video, and audio information. If the baseband stream includes data information, then, the A/V decoder preferably manipulates the data information into an appropriate format to thereby generate manipulated data. Similarly, if the baseband stream includes video information, then the A/V decoder preferably decompresses the video information to generate decompressed video. In addition, if the baseband stream includes audio information, then the A/V decoder preferably decompresses the audio information to generate decompressed audio. The A/V decoder may then preferably provide the decompressed audio to an amplifier and speakers which operate to aurally reproduce the decompressed audio.
Concurrently, a display controller preferably may access the manipulated data and the decompressed video, and responsively perform a graphical user interface (GUI) processing procedure to generate display data and display video for presentation on the remote TV. Finally, the display controller provides the display data and the display video to the remote TV for remote viewing by a user of the wireless television system.
Therefore, the present invention effectively implements a flexible wireless television system that utilizes various heterogeneous components to facilitate optimal system interoperability and functionality. The present invention thus effectively and efficiently implements an enhanced wireless television system.
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W
Grant Chris
Koerner Gregory J.
Simon & Koerner LLP
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