WO2010069048A1

WO2010069048A1 - Handheld electronic device and docking station wireless system

Info

Publication number: WO2010069048A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shawn Saleem
Original assignee: Cignias Inc.
Priority date: 2008-12-17
Filing date: 2009-12-11
Publication date: 2010-06-24
Also published as: CN101753328A; CA2646871A1

Abstract

A multi-tasking music player system comprising an electronic handheld device and a receiving station whereby the device wirelessly sends music data to the receiving station which obviates the need for the device and station to be in physical contact. The system enables a user to wirelessly transmit and control songs through a Wi-Fi (internet) or cellular network.

Description

HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND DOCKING STATION WIRELESS SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[00011 This application relates to Canadian Patent Application Number Not Yet

Available, filed on 11 December 2009 in the name of Cignias Inc., entitled "Method and Apparatus for Remotely Connecting an Electronics Device to a Wireless Network," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

10002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hand-held electronic device and docking station system, particularly for the wireless transmission and reception of data in the production of sound, most particularly music. The system does not require for the device and station to be in physical contact during the wireless transfer. Embodiments of the invention include the device ger se and the station pjer se.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

10003] Electronic handheld devices and accessories for the wireless receipt and/or transmission of data messaging servicing through a wireless data network are well-known. For example, iPod touch® and iPhone® (registered trademarks of Apple Inc.) music playing devices can interface with speaker systems. Such wireless handheld music players were initially designed as individual music players and, as a result, came with individual earphones, which clearly limits who could hear the music at any one time. The quality of sound and the ability to download music, anywhere and at anytime has resulted in a massive proliferation of these devices and a new market was born. (00041 A so-called docking station is, in its most simple form, a device that interfaces, or 'docks', with an aforesaid handheld music device and through a communications unit, which in the case of the aforesaid music players use proprietary interfaces to transfer data to a set of speakers, such as Apple's 30-pin connector. These docking stations allow a user to connect their wireless music device physically to the station for the set of speakers to play back the music and project the audio throughout a room. This enables the music to be heard by many people.

100051 However, such known music players suffer from several major problems.

|0006| One significant limitation is that the music player must be physically connected to the speaker system at all times when sound is to be produced, either to the handheld mobile device rjer se or to a remote stationery speaker system, for example, through the "docking station" unit. This seriously limits the freedom of movement of the user.

10007] Further, the functionality and utility of the music player is limited to controlling, say, the song choice and audio level.

100081 Yet further, other desired tasks are suspended and put in abeyance while the handheld music player is playing music from the handheld device βer se or on wall speakers.

|0009| There is, therefor, a need for an improved handheld music player which allows the user to perform multi-tasks simultaneously and remotely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

IOOIOI In order that the embodiments of the invention may be better understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described by way of example only wherein 1001 11 Fig. 1 is a block diagram representing the architecture of a handheld device according to the prior art;

JOOl 21 Fig. 2 is a block diagram representing the architecture of a receiving station with a handheld device in a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

100131 Fig. 3 is a more detailed block diagram representing the architecture of a handheld device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

10014] Fig. 4 is a software flowchart representing the operational relationship within and between a handheld device and receiving station system according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

100151 It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved handheld device which enables a user to listen to music on a remote speaker system remotely from the handheld devices which does not require a physical connection between the remote speaker system and the handheld music player.

100161 It is an object to provide aforesaid music player system which also allows the user to simultaneously perform other desired tasks.

K)Ol 7| Embodiments of the invention, thus, provide a multi-tasking music player system.

100181 Thus, the embodiments of the present invention enable a user to wirelessly transmit and control songs through a Wi-Fi (internet) or cellular network.

|0019| In a further aspect, the music receiving station has the ability to have its software, henceforth known as its firmware, wirelessly updated. This negates the need to have to return the system to the manufacturer, which can be cumbersome, expensive and time consuming for both the user and the manufacturer. Any firmware updates for the system are placed on the handheld device manufacturer's online application store and a notification is sent out to the handheld device that an update is available for download. The handheld device proceeds to download the update and the update remains on the handheld device until the next lime the handheld device connects to the receiving station via Wi-Fi. Once a Wi-Fi connection is established, the firmware update wirelessly sends to the receiving station which will receive and install the update. This is quick, easy and mostly transparent to the user. Existing solutions today require that the receiving station be directly connected to the internet and in contact with its manufacturer to constantly be ready for updates. This is not ideal for a number of reasons as it requires the receiving station to be connected to the internet and accessing the manufacturer site. Also, the handheld device will not be aware of which version of software is in use as it was not involved in the firmware updating. It is important that the handheld device be aware of the software issues, features and capabilities of the device it is controlling.

10020] Further, there is a simplified method of connecting the receiving station to available internet routers. In order to allow the handheld device (client) to continue to access the internet, even when wirelessly communicating with the receiving station, it needs to instruct the receiving station to connect to an access point, or router, that it is connected to the internet. The handheld device also then needs to connect to that same access point in order to both continue to communicate with the receiving station and be connected to the internet in order to keep receiving emails, surf the web, etc. Connecting to a device to a potentially encrypted access point can be intimidating and very difficult for users that do not understand wireless networks.

|0021 | Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention, in one aspect, provide an apparatus and process that minimizes the effort and wireless network understanding required to connect both the receiving station and handheld device to the same potentially encrypted network. The user first connects directly to their handheld device to the receiving station, preferably via wireless means. The handheld device then instructs the receiving station to scan for all available networks. This is very useful as many handheld devices have limitations as to the networks they can detect. Once the receiving station has gathered all the data about the available networks, such as whether they are encrypted or not, and if so, what form of encryption such as WPA. WPA2, WEP is used, then this network data is sent to the handheld device. The user only then needs to select which network they wish to join. They do not need to manually type in the network name or indicate which type of encryption is used, as this can lead to user errors or confusion. Once the network is selected and. if it is not encrypted, the handheld device tells the receiving station to connect to it. If it is encrypted, the user needs to type in the password, which is the only data they ever need to actually type in, and then this data is sent to the receiving station and it is used by the receiving station to access the network. The handheld device then itself also connects to the same desired network that the receiving station joined and now both the handheld device and the receiving station are each a part of the same network that has internet access. The handheld device, as well as any other handheld devices that have the required software installed, can now control the receiving station through the wireless network.

|0022| In a further aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a simplified graphical user interface, henceforth known as a GUI that has been designed and customized for each large manufacturer of handheld devices. The GUI is designed to reflect the design considerations, esthetics and rules of the handheld device so that users can enjoy a seamless experience with a minimal learning curve. Colours, button placement, and user messages are all in conformance with standard design principles of the handheld device. [00231 In a yet further aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a music station that has improved bi-directional communication means ensuring that both the receiving station and handheld device are always aware of each other's status. For example, if the handheld device ceases, the software application that controls the receiving station, the station continues to play the music in its local memory and should the handheld device restart the software application, the receiving station transmits its status, such as what song it was playing and where in the song it was, thereby offering a seamless experience to the user. Another example is if the handheld device were on the outer range of the wireless signal, the receiving station would send the handheld device that the signal is very weak and that the communication was about to be severed. This would allow the handheld device to move back into range and thereby not only keep the user of the handheld device up to speed on the performance of the wireless system, but also ensure that user frustration is minimized.

10024] A preferred method of operation involves the handheld device, e.g. a smartphone, herein termed "a client", and the receiving station, e.g. a music docking station, herein termed "the music station". The client downloads the software to control the music station, herein known as the client application, from the client's online application store, such as an Apple® App Store® or BlackBerry® AppWorld®. Once downloaded, the client application is opened, i.e. activated, thereby allowing the client to wirelessly communicate with the music station over Wi-Fi. The client can then control the music station to perform any task that is supported by the software contained within the client application and the firmware within the music station. The most common application is the ability to transmit music from the client to the music station for playback on the music station. Users will have complete control of the music being played by their client. [00251 In addition, the means by which the music is transferred to the music station allows for optimal power dissipation resulting in extended battery life. The ability to send the music via Wi-Fi means that it has significantly longer range than traditional wireless music stations that employed "S" only Bluetooth wireless protocol, offering a limited range of 10 meters, at most. Wi-Fi, as an industry standard, means that clients from multiple manufacturers, such as, for example, Apple, Research In Motion Ltd, Nokia, Motorola and HTC can easily be supported and as the music station is operating system agnostic, it doesn't matter which operating system is used by the client, as long as the commands follow an acceptable format, usually known as an application program interface (API) protocol.

|0026| Multiple variants of the product can also be easily created as long as the fundamental API and other software designs remain relatively constant. Price, performance and features can quickly and easily manipulated depending on the target audience and markets.

|0027| Finally, the functionality of the client application can be expanded, with new features continuously added through new updates via the client manufacturer's online application site. The only limitations being the size of the local memory in the client and its processor's speed and performance. The firmware of the music station can also be updated to support these new features clearly indicating that the true power and functionality of the music station is limited only by its hardware limitations.

|0028| Accordingly, in one aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide an electronic handheld device comprising:

100291 a housing;

[00301 activation on-off means;

[00311 display face; |0032| means for receiving and transmitting data;

|0033| user controls and instructing means to enable device to perform tasks;

10034] characterized in further comprising

10035] device music data storage means for storing music data;

|0036| means for receiving said music data for storage in said storage means; and

[00371 means for operably wirelessly transmitting said music data to a receiving station.

[0038] By the term "music data" in this specification and claims is meant digital data that when translated results in the production of sound constituting voice and musical notes.

[0039| The embodiments of the invention provide a device as hereinabove defined wherein the means for transmitting the music data comprises means for wirelessly transmitting the music data in a mode selected from burst mode and continuous stream mode.

[0040] Further, the embodiments of the invention provide a device as hereinabove defined comprising stored music data.

10041 ] In a further aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a receiving station comprising means for wirelessly receiving music data from a device, as hereinabove defined; and translation means for translating the music data to sound.

]0042| The translation means further comprises speaker means.

[00431 The receiving station preferably comprises station music data storage means.

[00441 In a preferred aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a receiving stations system comprising a station, as hereinabove defined, in communication with speaker means external of said station. |0045| The means for receiving the music data for storage in the handset wireless device music data storage means, means for transmitting the stored music data to the receiving station and translation thereof into and/or out of storage comprises application software.

|0046| In one embodiment, the receiving station, herein termed a docking station, comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) in which resides a central processor unit (CPU) connected to input/output peripherals.

|0047| The docking station music data application software either resides in the docking station to ensure a seamless experience for the user when connecting their wireless device to the docking station, or an external apparatus thai connects to any generic manufacturer's docking station through industry standard composite audio cables The latter option offers the embodiments of the invention to users who already own a docking station and do not want to buy a completely new one. The latter option will also be a less expensive option and slightly more flexible as the audio composite out can be connected to anything from televisions to computers to audio/video receivers.

|0048| There are three significant stages in setting up the interface connection between the handheld wireless device and the docking station Firstly, music data application software is installed in the handheld device. This controls the interfacing of the wireless device and the docking station This can be done in numerous way, but the preferred manner is to download it off of the internet at a desired website provided, for example, by the handset manufacturer or the docking station manufacturer. After this software has been downloaded onto the handset wireless device, a directory, or "playlisl", which contains all the data (music) that the user wishes to upload to the handset wireless device, is set up on the wireless handset device. This is preferably done by creating the playlist on a personal computer and then synchronizing the computer with the handset wireless device, usually through a highspeed means, such as, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) cable.

100491 After the playlist has been created and downloaded onto the handset wireless device, the user, preferably, will either physically connect the handset wireless device to the docking station in order to synchronize the two apparatus and set up the wireless connection or may establish the connection through a webpage that allows the use to configure the docking station from the handheld device without the need to physically connect the device. Once completed, the handset wireless device is removed from the docking station and is now ready to play music, wirelessly, through the docking station from the retrievable data of the wireless handset device.

|0050| In a yet further aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a music data wirelessly transmittable and receivable system comprising in combination a handheld device, as hereinabove defined, with a wirelessly receivable station as hereinabove defined. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention allow a user to overcome the shortcomings of existing music generating systems by removing the need to physically connect the wireless device to the docking station when playing music. This is done by adding wireless support to the docking station, either by integrating the technology directly into the docking station, or by creating a peripheral accessory that can interface and transfer data to existing docking stations. The embodiments of the present invention provide wireless support, and also preferably offers numerous processes, such as. to ensure quality of service over networks with fluctuating bandwidths; to ensure protocols and procedures are in place should the connection between the docking station and the wireless device be lost; to manage multiple wireless devices potentially connected to the docking station at the same time, to support multiple wireless handset manufacturers; notwithstanding each have different software operating systems, to minimi/e wireless handset power dissipation; and to minimize complexity of installation or use.

|0051 | The embodiments of the invention also provide the advantage that the wireless handset device can remain with the user and allow the device to, simultaneously, perform other tasks while playing music, such as, surfing the web, checking email, updating schedules or contact information or download any number of potential other applications for an virtual infinite set of uses. In contrast, existing current wireless devices are reduced to being simple audio players.

10052] Fig. 1 is a block diagram representing the architecture of a handheld device according to the prior art. The prior art handheld device architecture may include a CPU 16, a Multimedia Storage media 2, a CPU memory Frame buffer 3, a user interface 4, an I/O interface 5, and a wireless modem 6.

[00531 Fig. 2 is a block diagram representing the architecture of a receiving station with a handheld device in a system according to an embodiment of the invention. The receiving station may include the CPU 16, the CPU memory Frame buffer 3, the wireless modem 6, audio output 7, a Data(Music) Storage media 8, an I/O interface 9 with USB and Ethernet ports and Debug control LEDs 31. The receiving station may be wirelessly transfer data to a handheld wireless device 32 using the wireless modem 6.

|0054| With reference to F'ig. 3, this shows the architecture of a handheld device and receiving station relationship shown generally as 10 having a central processing unit and memory board 12 used to store instructions and data. A wireless modem 14 receives a wireless signal from the handheld device. Received data from modem 14 is sent to CPU 16 which sends it to data storage media 18. |0055| Data is subsequently retrieved from storage media 18 by CPU 16 and sent to audio input/output subsystem 20 which is connected to speakers 22.

|0056| Debug interface 24 is used for engineering testing. System control 26 is used by the manufacture to configure and set CPU 16. LED display 28 is controlled by CPU 16 to denote when system 10 is in use. Alternate standard interface 30 permits connection to the internet, PS's removable storage media and the like. Smartphone docking interface 32 provides for interface with CPU 16 when handheld device is physically remote from receiving (docking) station and wirelessly transferring music data to the station. This interface 32 enables the handheld device and receiving station to be synchronized and "talk" to each other.

10057] Fig. 4 represents a software flowchart representing the operation relationship within and between a handheld device and receiving station system according to an embodiment of the invention wherein 100 is in respect of the receiving station and 200 of the handheld device.

|0058| The software application in operation instructs CPU 16 to transfer data from memory to wireless modem 14 for transmission to the docking station but at the same time allows the CPU to perform other tasks that the user may want to initiate (ie. email, web browsing, gaming, etc.) because the data transfer can run in the background as it does not require user input. This assumes that the CPU has sufficient cycles to perform these other tasks but this is rarely a limitation. For example, the CPU in prior art handheld devices can run at speeds up to 312Mhz allowing for numerous tasks to be performed since the transfer of data from the memory to the wireless modem would take only a very small percentage of the available CPU cycles. [00591 Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to those particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or physical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electronic handheld device comprising: a housing; an activation on-off means; a display face; means for receiving and transmitting data; a user controls and instructing means adapted to enable the electronic handheld device to perform tasks: a device music data storage means adapted to store music data; means for receiving the music data for storage in the device music data storage means; and a wireless modem adapted to operably wirelessly transmit the music data to a receiving station.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the wireless modem comprises means for wirelessly transmitting the music data in a mode selected from burst mode and continuous stream mode.

3. The device of claim 1 comprising stored music data.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the receiving station comprises: a receiving station wireless modem adapted to wirelessly receive music data from the electronic handheld device; and a translation means for translating the music data into sound.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the translation means comprises a speaker means.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the receiving station further comprises a station music data storage means.

7. The device of claim 4. wherein the receiving station is in communication with a speaker means external to the receiving station.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the wireless modem is further adapted to transmit firmware data to the receiving station.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the receiving station wireless modem is further adapted to receive the firmware data from the electronic handheld device; and wherein the receiving station further comprises means for updating the firmware of the receiving station with the firmware data.

10. The device of claim 4, wherein the wireless modem is further adapted to: transmit instructions to the receiving station to scan for wireless networks; transmit instructions to the receiving station to connect to a wireless network; and connect to the wireless network.

11. The device of claim 10. wherein the receiving station wireless modem is further adapted to: scan for wireless networks and discover a name and an encryption type for at least one wireless network; transmit the name and the encryption type of the at least one wireless network to the electronic handheld device; and connect to the at least one wireless network on instructions from the electronic handheld device, and to receive a password for the at least one wireless network from the electronic handheld device if the encryption of the at least one wireless network requires the password.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein a graphical user interface is designed and customized for manufacturers of handheld devices.

13. The device of claim 4, wherein the receiving station wireless modem is further adapted to receive a status update from the electronic handheld device and send a status update to the electronic handheld device.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic handheld device is adapted to perform other tasks while the wireless modem is transmitting the music data to the receiving station.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless modem is adapted to connect to a Wi-Fi router.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless modem is adapted to connect to a cellular network.

17. A method of controlling a receiving station comprising: connecting to the receiving station wirelessly with a wireless modem; transmitting music data to the receiving station with the wireless modem; and transmitting instructions to the receiving station with the wireless modem.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the instructions comprise instructions for at least one of playing back the music data as music; stopping the playing of the music data; selecting different music data to play as music; and raising or lowering the volume at which the music data is played back.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for scanning for a wireless network to discover a name and an encryption type for at least one wireless network and connecting to the at least one wireless network.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting a password for the at least one wireless network to the receiving station.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting firmware data to the receiving station.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for updating firmware on the receiving station with the firmware data.

23. The melhod of claim 17, wherein connecting to the receiving station wirelessly comprises connecting directly to the receiving station.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting to the receiving station wirelessly comprises connecting to a wireless network to which the receiving station is connected.