Remotecontroldevicehavingwirelessphoneinterf……

1、Remote control device having wireless phone interface            BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONWhen operated away from home, a mobile phone is typically found within arm's reach of its user. At home, however, a mobile phone and user are often

2、easily separated. A user sometimes loses track of a mobile phone's whereabouts as the user becomes occupied with other endeavors or distractions, such as watching television or listening to a stereo. Often, a mobile phone is placed in a stationary cradle for recharging while at home. Given the i

3、ncreased distance between a mobile phone and user, an incoming mobile phone call can inconvenience the user when at home. Specifically, a ringing mobile phone requires the user to track down the mobile phone's location, identify the caller, and then answer the call. This process typically forces

4、 the user to miss portions of the television program or music the user was enjoying prior to the incoming call. Further, after answering the incoming call, the user has to watch television or listen to music while simultaneously conducting a conversation via the mobile phone.With today's advance

5、d consumer electronic remote control devices used to manage home entertainment systems, it is desirable to develop a remote control device (RCD) that includes a wireless interface communicable with a mobile phone. An RCD with a wireless interface could greatly reduce the inconvenience a user faces w

6、hen encountering a mobile phone that rings at home.SUMMARY OF INVENTIONA remote control device (RCD) typical of a television or home entertainment system is adapted to be communicable with a mobile phone. When a mobile phone receives a signal in a first wireless protocol from a digital cellular netw

7、ork (DCN), the signal is wirelessly forwarded to the RCD in a second wireless protocol for processing such as answering a voice call or displaying message data using the RCD. In addition, the RCD is wirelessly communicable with one or more peripheral devices such as a television and/or other compone

8、nts of a home entertainment system. The RCD can further forward the signal or a component of the signal received from the mobile phone to one of the peripheral devices for output. Thus, if a mobile phone is not handy when a signal is received, it can be passed to the RCD to be handled in a manner de

9、emed appropriate by a user.The RCD seamlessly interfaces with the mobile phone. To interface with a mobile phone, the RCD includes a first wireless interface for controlling one or more peripheral devices and a second wireless interface for communicating with a mobile phone. Since the RCD can assume

10、 many of the tasks of a mobile phone, the RCD further includes a speaker for outputting audio signals received from the mobile phone, a microphone for receiving audio signals to be transmitted to the mobile phone, and a processor for processing wireless signals communicated between the RCD and the m

11、obile phone. In operation, the RCD receives a signal from the mobile phone in response to the mobile phone receiving a wireless signal from a digital cellular network (DCN).The mobile phone passes the signal received from the DCN to the RCD for processing. The processing depends on the type of signa

12、l that the mobile phone sends to the RCD, voice or data. The RCD can act as an extension phone for a voice call by connecting to an incoming call and carrying out a full duplex conversation. The RCD can also forward the audio portion of a signal received from a mobile phone to a peripheral device un

13、der control of the RCD such as a television.The RCD can also process data signals received from the mobile phone. Data signals can include a text data signal, an audio data signal, a video data signal, or any combination thereof. This would include SMS, MMS, and e-mail messages. The RCD can also rel

14、ay received data signals to one or more peripheral devices under control of the RCD for a more robust video and audio output of data originally intended just for the mobile phone.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the present invention and their

15、 environment.FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the call handling process when a mobile receives a call over the DCN.FIG. 3 is a flowchart of events occurring in the RCD during a call handling process.FIG. 4 is a flowchart of events occurring in a peripheral device during a call handling process.DETAILED DESC

16、RIPTIONFor purposes of this description, the term “mobile phone” is used to refer to a mobile phone operating on a wireless network. The standards and/or protocols of the wireless network is immaterial to the operation of the present invention. The present invention is designed to be operable regard

17、less of the wireless network protocol used by a mobile phone.FIG. 1 illustrates the environment and interaction among the functional elements of a network in which the present invention resides. A mobile phone 102 is capable of transmitting and receiving multiple types of digital signals over a Digi

18、tal Cellular Network (DCN) 104. Typically, DCN 104 is a wireless telephony network that can be based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), or other telephony protocols. A header embedded within incoming digital s

19、ignals received by mobile phone 102 from DCN 104 indicates the type of digital signal received. The most common type of digital signal is a voice signal for purposes of a carrying on a full-duplex conversation. Data signals, however, are becoming more common to DCNs as mobile phones become more robu

20、st with respect to sending and receiving textual, audio, and image or video data.A received digital voice signal is typically decoded by mobile phone 102 into an analog audio signal while a digital data signal is processed internally by appropriate hardware and software within mobile phone 102. A di

21、gital multimedia signal is handled by mobile phone 102 as containing separate digital voice and digital data components. Digital signals containing voice, data, or multimedia content are processed according to known wireless standards such as Short Messaging Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Servi

22、ce (MMS), or Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) for voice. Mobile phone 102 is also capable of creating and transmitting a multimedia message over DCN 104 using an integrated microphone and camera if so equipped. Multimedia messages can be created by the mobile phone 102 via direct user manipulation or remot

23、ely from RCD 100.Mobile phone 102 is further capable of re-transmitting or relaying a received digital signal from DCN 104 to RCD 100 and vice-versa. Communication to and from RCD 100 is over a wireless protocol using a licensed or unlicensed frequency band having enough bandwidth to accommodate dig

24、ital voice, data, or multimedia signals. For example, it can be based on the Bluetooth?, the 802.11 (a, b, g, h, or x) protocols, or other known protocol using the 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 900 MHz, or 800 MHz spectrum.To facilitate interaction with RCD 100, mobile phone 102 uses a separate lower power RF u

25、nit from the primary RF unit used for interaction with DCN 104. If mobile phone 102 is not equipped with the capability to interact with RCD 100, then a base unit 108 can be used to interact with RCD 100. Mobile phone 102 can sit in base unit 108 in such a way as to allow a digital signal received b

26、y mobile phone 102 to be communicated over a serial communications port to base unit 108. Likewise, base unit 108 is equipped with a serial communications port to receive digital signals from mobile phone 102. Base unit 108 is also equipped with an RF unit so as to be able to interact with RCD 100.

27、Further, base unit 108 can act as an intermediary between mobile phone 102 and RCD 100. Specifically, base unit 108 can transmit and receive digital signals between mobile phone 102 and RCD 100.Base unit 108 has access to an independent power source. Access to a power source allows base unit 108 to

28、transmit and receive signals over longer distances than the mobile phone 102 is capable of transmitting and receiving signals with its reduced power secondary RF unit. In fact, base unit 108 may be used even if mobile phone 102 is equipped to interact with RCD 100 in order to accommodate communicati

29、on over a longer distance. The power source also allows base unit 108 to perform its primary duty of re-charging the battery in mobile phone 102.As previously mentioned, RCD 100 is equipped with an RF unit for interacting with mobile phone 102 and/or base unit 108. Specifically, RCD 100 can transmit

30、 and receive digital signals to and from mobile phone 102 and can transmit digital signals to other peripheral electronic devices 110. Typically, those devices will be part of a home entertainment system such as a television, a stereo including associated speakers, or a personal computer (PC). RCD 1

31、00 also contains a digital signal processor (DSP)/microprocessor having multimedia codec capabilities. RCD 100 is further equipped with a microphone and speaker to enable a user to conduct a conversation through mobile phone 102 in a full-duplex manner. By including a microphone and speaker, RCD 100

32、 can be used just like an extension telephone to carry out a conversation that was initiated by mobile phone 102.RCD 100 further has the ability to access and control aspects of mobile phone 102. For example, remote control 100 can access mobile phone 102 to enable voice dialing or to create an SMS

33、or MMS message. RCD 100 has the ability to relay, re-route, or re-transmit digital signals to other peripheral devices 110 that are under the control of RCD 100. These other electronic devices may also be controlled by RCD 100 using, for example, an infrared or RF link. RCD 100 can either route re-t

34、ransmit a digital signal from mobile phone 102 or base unit 108 directly to other peripheral devices 110. A picture caller ID signal, received by mobile phone 102 from DCN 104, for instance, can be automatically forwarded by either mobile phone 102 or base unit 108 to RCD 100 and then on to a televi

35、sion for display. RCD 100 also contains an internal, rechargeable power supply to facilitate untethered operation.If the peripheral device 110 is a television, for instance, the television can receive re-transmitted or relayed digital signals from RCD 100. For the convenience of the user, an incomin

36、g call can trigger a chain of events that ensures the user does not miss anything being watched on the television. Many televisions are now equipped, either internally or via a controllable accessory, with a digital video recorder that has the ability to pause live television and save video data to

37、a hard drive. Thus, if a call is received on mobile phone 102 and mobile phone 102 is out of reach of the user, then the call information and the call itself can be forwarded to RCD 100. If the user decides to answer the call using RCD 100, then RCD 100 could cause the television to pause until the

38、call is complete or the user overrides the pause function.A television includes integrated speakers capable of broadcasting audio. Further, many televisions are capable of displaying both digital and analog video as well as displaying and/or broadcasting multimedia in commonly know wireless executab

39、le formats including, but not limited to, MMS, SMS, Caller ID, Picture Caller ID, and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG). Similarly, audio may be broadcasted in a variety of formats including, but not limited to, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) or MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3). Voice, da

40、ta, audio, or MMS message executions can be displayed in a “picture in picture” window on a television. Thus, data originally intended for and received by mobile phone 102 can be routed or re-transmitted to a television via RCD 100 to enhance the look and sound of the data on a larger screen display

41、.A television may also be compatible with other peripheral devices in a home entertainment system including, but not limited to, high-power speakers, a digital video recorder (DVR), digital video disc (DVD) players, videocassette recorders (VCRs), and gaming systems. A television may also contain mu

42、ltimedia codec abilities. The codec provides the television with the capability to synchronize audio and video for displaying multimedia messages without frame lagging, echo, or delay while simultaneously carrying on a full-duplex conversation with its speaker output and audio input received from RC

43、D 100 via mobile phone 102 or base unit 108.High-power speakers can receive audio from a wired connection from a television or from a tuner, amplifier, or other similar audio device common in a home entertainment system. Alternatively, the speakers can be fitted with an RF unit to be compatible with

44、 RCD 100. If the speakers are wireless-capable, they can output audio from mobile phone 102, base unit 108, RCD 100, or a television. Audio generated at mobile phone 102 or base unit 108 can be routed directly to he speakers through a decision enacted at RCD 100.Similarly, a DVR can be wired directl

45、y to a television or alternatively can contain an RF unit compatible with RCD 100. A DVR is capable of automatically recording signals displayed by a television when an incoming signal from DCN 104 is received by mobile phone 102. This capability allows the incoming communication to/from DCN 104 to

46、override the normal video and audio capabilities of the television. The audio and video capabilities of the television can then be employed for communication interaction with DCN 104 while the DVR ensures that any audio or video displaced by this feature is not lost but is instead captured for later

47、 display.Peripheral devices 110 can include, but are not limited to, personal video recorders, DVD players, VCRs, and gaming systems. Peripheral devices 110 can be fitted with an RF unit compatible with RCD 100. This compatibility allows peripheral devices 110 to recognize when mobile phone 102 rece

48、ives an incoming signal from DCN 104. When an incoming signal is recognized by a peripheral device 110 such as a television, it can automatically pause operation so that the television can be used to interact with the incoming communication. Pausing operations may include, but are not limited to, pa

49、using a recording operation, pausing a game, or pausing a movie display depending on the peripheral device in question.FIG. 2 presents a logic diagram of how an incoming signal is processed according to one embodiment of the present invention. An incoming signal can represent a voice signal such as

50、a typical phone call or a data signal such as an SMS, MMS, or e-mail message. The data signal may contain textual, audio, and/or video components. FIG. 2 illustrates two potential scenarios. The first scenario describes using an RCD as the destination device meaning that the incoming signal is passe

51、d from the mobile/base unit to the RCD to be processed accordingly. For instance, an incoming phone call can be passed from the mobile phone or base unit to the RCD where the user can answer the call and converse using the RCD. The second scenario uses the RCD as a conduit between the mobile phone/b

52、ase unit and one or more peripheral devices capable of audio and/or video (A/V) output. That is, in order to transmit a signal from a mobile phone to a peripheral device, the signal must first be sent to the RCD. The RCD then relays or re-transmits the signal to an appropriate peripheral device.The

53、call handling process, or incoming signal handling process, begins with a mobile phone receiving a digital signal from an external DCN 200. This step entails receiving a wireless digital signal over the DCN using a known wireless protocol. The mobile phone detects the digital signal using a first RF

54、 unit communicable with the DCN using standard mobile phone techniques.After receiving the digital signal, the mobile phone attempts to relay or re-transmit the received signal to the RCD wirelessly over another shorter range wireless protocol that is distinct from the wireless protocol used by the

55、mobile when communicating with the DCN. If the mobile phone is docked in a base unit, then the mobile phone forwards the received digital signal to the base unit. Th base unit then relays or re-transmits the received signal wirelessly to the RCD using the shorter range wireless protocol. Since there

56、 are at least two distinct wireless protocols employed, the mobile phone performs any required encoding and decoding of signals to ensure communicability between source and destination devices.For example, the mobile phone may be receiving voice and data signals from the DCN using a GSM (voice) and

57、GPRS (data) protocol while the wireless protocol utilized between the mobile phone and RCD is based on an unlicensed 2.4 GHz 802.11x protocol. In such a case, the mobile phone will decode an incoming voice or data signal (including control data) from the DCN and encode it for 802.11x before relaying

58、 it to the RCD. The process is reversed when the RCD is the source and the DCN is the destination.With the mobile phone docked in the base unit, the base unit receives the digital signal from the mobile phone 204 and then forwards the digital signal to the RCD 206 using the shorter range wireless pr

59、otocol. This procedure entails the base unit receiving the digital signal over a serial port from the mobile phone before wirelessly transmitting the digital signal to the RCD where it is received 208.If the mobile phone is not docked in the base unit 202, and if the mobile phone is not communicable with the RCD 210, then the mobile phone processes the incoming signal from the DCN normally 212. If the mobile phone is communicable with the RCD 210 but out of range of RCD 214, the mobile again processes the incoming signal as it normally would without interaction with the RCD. If, howev