`ro
`o
`in
`
`no
`
`CO
`-o
`
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT COVER SHEET
`This is a request for filing a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT under 37 CFR 1.53(c)
`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV317193524 US
`INVENTORS
`
`Inventor Name
`
`Richard M. Clayton
`
`Residence
`(City and either State or Foreign Country)
`Phoenix, AZ USA
`
`separately numbered sheet attached hereto
`Additional inventors are being named on the _X
`TITLE OF THE INVENTION (280 characters maximum)
`WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTER FOR CAR RADIOS
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`Direct all correspondence to:
`^ Customer Number
`
`000043471
`
`•©
`
`£5 m .
`OTO)
`o
`LO o<o
`
`CVJ
`
`.
`
`CO
`
`Zip
`Fax
`
`OR
`
`Firm or Individual Name
`Address
`Address
`City
`Country
`
`State
`Telephone
`ENCLOSED APPLICATION PARTS (check all that apply)
`Q CD(s), Number
`IX | Specification Pages Number of Pages
`I | Other (specify)
`
`Number of Sheets
`
`| | Drawings
`I
`| Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
`METHOD OF PAYMENT OF FILING FEES FOR THIS PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
`| 1 Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`I
`| A check or money order is enclosed to cover the filing fees
`
`Filing Fee
`Amount ($)
`
`$160.00
`
`0 The Director is hereby authorized to charge filing fees or credit any overpayment to
`
`Deposit Account Number: 502117
`
`| Payment by credit card. Form PTO-2038 is attached.
`I
`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government or under a contract with an agency of
`the United States Government.
`[Xl No.
`I | Yes, the name of the U.S. Government agency and the Government contract number are:
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`SIGNATURE
`
`Date
`
`TYPED or PRINTED NAME
`
`Esteban A. Rockett
`
`TELEPHONE
`
`215-323-1798
`
`REGISTRATION NO. 55,578
`(if appropriate)
`Docket Number:
`
`BCS03802
`
`TOYOTA Ex. 1003
`
`Page 1 of 667
`
`
`
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION COVER SHEET
`Additional Page
`
`Docket Number: BCS03802
`
`Inventor Name
`
`INVENTOR(S)/APPLICANT(S)
`Residence
`(City and either State or Foreign Country)
`
`Michael T. Gaumond
`David E. Ulmer
`Jean Marc A. Villevieille
`Brian J. Tucker
`
`Scottsdale, AZ USA
`Phoenix, AZ
`USA
`Phoenix, AZ
`USA
`Mesa, AZ
`USA
`
`WARNING: Information on this form may become public. Credit card information should not be included on this form.
`Provide credit card information and authorization on PTO-2038.
`
`Number 2
`
`of
`
`2
`
`Page 2 of 667
`
`
`
`6
`
`5
`
`4
`
`3
`
`2
`
`1
`
`TEXT DISPLAY
`
`Car Radio
`
`Status information.
`Cable carries audio, button and
`
`Statuk Events
`Control and
`
`Audio data
`
`Player
`Music
`Portable
`
`Adapter
`
`k*?
`
`Wireless proximity network
`
`Wireless audio adapter for car radios
`
`Page 3 of 667
`
`
`
`PREVIOUSLY FILED IN US PTO -
`
`BACKGROUND INFORMATION
`
`Page 4 of 667
`
`
`
`SYSTEM AM) METHOD FOR MANAGING CONTENT BETWEEN
`
`DEVICES IN VARIOUS DOMAINS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`This invention in general relates to managing content between devices in
`
`various domains and, more particularly, to a system and method for delaying or time-
`
`slipping broadcast content across different domains.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`Digital video recorders and other content storage devices exist that allow a
`
`user to store and playback content at later times. Conventional systems, however, are
`
`limited in that they deal with storage and playback of the broadcast content in a single
`
`domain.
`
`A need exists for a user to seamlessly listen to (or watch) audio (or video)
`
`15
`
`content when moving from one domain (such as a vehicle) to a different domain (such
`
`as a home) without missing a portion of that content. For instance, assume that a
`
`vehicle operator would like to listen to a talk show or a sporting event that is
`
`scheduled for broadcasting one hour before the operator's commute time. It may not
`
`be feasible for the vehicle to store the broadcast itself because the vehicle is turned off
`
`20
`
`and the operator does not want to drain the vehicle's battery. Currently, a user cannot
`
`delay the playback of the originally broadcast program to a time period when the
`
`driver is in the vehicle. The same applies for video, e.g., delay the playing of a
`
`regularly scheduled video program on an entertainment system in the vehicle for a
`
`time that the occupants may be in the vehicle.
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 5 of 667
`
`
`
`-
`
`2
`
`It is, therefore, desirable to provide a system and method to overcome or
`
`minimize most, if not all, of the preceding problems especially in the area of
`
`managing content in different domains.
`
`5
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system having client devices in different
`
`domains supported by a host system located at a home or at a central service provider;
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a client device;
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside of a vehicle illustrating one
`
`10
`
`embodiment of a client device in the vehicular domain;
`
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inside of a vehicle illustrating another
`
`embodiment of a client device in the vehicular domain;
`
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a client device in
`
`communication with a separate local wireless communication device;
`
`15
`
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a host system that
`
`communicates with different client devices in different domains;
`
`FIG. 7 is a diagram of one embodiment of a database that may reside in a host
`
`system to access information and characteristics about a particular client device;
`
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of one method for managing broadcast content and
`
`20
`
`providing for the ability of delaying the broadcast content for a later time; and
`
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of another method for managing content between a
`
`first client device and a second client device.
`
`While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
`
`forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings
`
`25
`
`and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 6 of 667
`
`
`
`f
`
`3
`
`invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the
`
`invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
`
`spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`
`5
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`What is described is a system and method for managing content between
`
`different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, person, hotspot.
`
`workplace, or school). To this end, in one embodiment there is a method for
`
`managing content that is scheduled for broadcast during a first time period. The
`
`10 method comprises the steps of: receiving an input from a user on a first device to
`
`delay the content to a second time period, the second time period being different from
`
`the first time period; determining whether the first device is connected to a first
`
`wireless communication system; sending a data message to a host controller if the
`
`first device is connected to the first wireless communication system; and obtaining the
`
`15
`
`content scheduled for broadcast during the first time to permit the user to playback the
`
`content during the second time period.
`
`The broadcast content may be obtained in a variety of ways. The broadcast
`
`content could be obtained by the host controller from a content provider through an
`
`Internet connection. The broadcast content may also be obtained by the host
`
`20
`
`controller through a digital satellite communication system that will store the
`
`broadcast content during the first time period. Broadcast content may also be
`
`obtained from local radio broadcasters over a radio tuner.
`
`Moreover, the step of obtaining the content may further include a
`
`determination of whether a broadcast program is stored in whole or in part. If the
`
`25
`
`broadcast program is stored in part, then the host system will store a first segment of
`
`ISO 1600TC - Gaumond, el al.
`
`Page 7 of 667
`
`
`
`I
`
`4
`
`the broadcast program and send the first segment of the broadcast program to the first
`
`device. The first device will then begin recording the second segment of the
`
`broadcast program and connect or overlap the first segment to the second segment of
`
`the broadcast program to provide seamless playback to the user.
`
`5
`
`In one embodiment, the first communication system is a short-range wireless
`
`communication system such as a Bluetooth™ communication system, an IEEE
`
`802.11 communication system, an IEEE 802.16 communication system, an EEEE
`
`802.20 communication system, a Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB) system, or a
`
`Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) system. The first device may also
`
`10
`
`include a second transceiver for communication with a second wireless
`
`communication system such as a cellular communication network. In a further
`
`embodiment, where the first device has a second transceiver, the method may further
`
`include the steps of: determining whether the first device is connected to the second
`
`wireless communication system and sending the data message over the second
`
`15 wireless communication system if a connection exists. If the first client device is not
`
`connected to either the first or second wireless communication system, the first client
`
`device may store the data message for later transmission.
`
`In another embodiment, there is a method for managing content between a
`
`first client device and a second client device that is scheduled for broadcast during a
`
`20
`
`first time period, where the first client device is in a first domain (such as a vehicle)
`
`and the second client device is in a second domain (such as in a home or on the
`
`person). The method comprises the steps of: receiving a data message from the first
`
`device over a wireless communication system, the data message being received in
`
`response to an input from a user on the first device to delay the content to a second
`
`25
`
`time period; obtaining the content scheduled for broadcast during the first time
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 8 of 667
`
`
`
`5
`
`period; and sending the content to the second device over the wireless
`
`communication system to permit the user to playback the content on the second
`
`device during the second time period. Here, the data message sent to the wireless
`
`gateway comprises a plurality of information elements that includes at least a store
`
`5
`
`content instruction. Additionally, the method may further include the steps of
`
`determining a content type associated with the second device and formatting the
`
`content in the content type associated with the second device before sending the
`
`content to the second device.
`
`In a further embodiment, there is a client device in a communication system
`
`10 where the system is capable of managing content that is scheduled for broadcast
`
`during a first time period. The client device includes at least a user interface, a first
`
`wireless transceiver, a controller, and a memory. The user interface is used to receive
`
`an input from a user to access content during a second time period where the second
`
`time period is different from the first time period. The first wireless transceiver is
`
`15
`
`capable of wirelessly connecting the client device to a first wireless communication
`
`system. The controller, in response to the input from the user, determines whether the
`
`client device is connected to the first wireless communication system. If so, the
`
`controller generates and sends a data message to a remote host controller over the first
`
`communication system. The data message sent to the wireless gateway includes at
`
`20
`
`least a delay content instruction and any additional information as described in more
`
`detail below. The memory is used for storing the content that is scheduled for
`
`broadcast during the first time period. The content stored in memory is received from
`
`the remote host controller in response to the data message sent to the remote host
`
`controller. The content may be an entire program broadcast or be a smaller segment
`
`25
`
`of the original program broadcast.
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et ai.
`
`Page 9 of 667
`
`
`
`6
`
`In another embodiment, there is a host system for managing content for a
`
`mobile client device that is scheduled for broadcast during a first time period. The
`
`mobile client device is selected from one of the domains mentioned above. The host
`
`system includes at least a wireless gateway, a database, and a controller. The wireless
`
`5
`
`gateway is configured to receive a data message from the client device that includes a
`
`delay content instruction. The data message comprises a plurality of information
`
`elements including at least a store content instruction. The database is configured to
`
`store information regarding the client device and any other client devices of the user.
`
`The controller is connected to the wireless gateway and the database. The controller
`
`10
`
`is capable of identifying the client device from the database and obtaining the content
`
`scheduled for broadcast during the first time period. The controller then sends the
`
`content to the client device over the wireless communication system to permit the user
`
`to playback the content on the client device during the second time period.
`
`Now, turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a top-level block diagram of
`
`15
`
`an example use of a communication system 20 for the present invention. Generally,
`
`the communication system 20 may include a plurality of client devices 22a, 22b, 22c,
`
`22d that exist in various domains such as the vehicle, home, and person. For instance.
`
`a client device 22a in the vehicular domain may be incorporated into a vehicle's head
`
`unit and/or entertainment system. A client device 22b, 22c in the home domain may
`
`20
`
`include items such as a personal computer, a home entertainment system, a digital
`
`audio recorder, and/or a digital video recorder. A client device 22d in the personal
`
`domain may include items such as a portable electronic device such as a personal
`
`digital assistant (PDA), a digital music player, and/or a portable phone. Client
`
`devices may also exist in other domains such as a hotspot, workplace, or school.
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 10 of 667
`
`
`
`f
`
`7
`
`The communication system 20 also includes a central service provider 24 that
`
`can communicate with the client devices 22a-d through a combination of wireless and
`
`wired links. In one embodiment, the central service provider 24 is connected to a
`
`high-speed Internet network 34. The central service provider 24 may assist in
`
`5 managing the distribution and control of content between different client devices 22a-
`
`d. The central service provider 24 may further provide additional services or be
`
`incorporated into the services of other service providers such as a cellular service
`
`provider, a satellite broadcast content provider, a cable television content provider, or
`
`a stored Internet content provider. Moreover, some or all of the functions of
`
`10 managing the distribution and control of the content between client devices 22a-d may
`
`reside locally with a user in the home domain.
`
`In one embodiment, where the client device 22a-d has a content receiver, the
`
`client devices 22a-d may receive broadcast content (audio and/or video) from a
`
`satellite content provider 26. This is shown in FIG. 1 through an exemplary satellite
`
`15
`
`content provider and the receipt of a communication link A to the client devices 22a-
`
`d. In other embodiments, the client device 22a-d may also have a receiver to receive
`
`broadcast content via radio signals from local content broadcasters (not shown). The
`
`client device 22a-d may also receive stored content from an Internet content provider
`
`27. The Internet content provider 27 may provide stored broadcast content to users or
`
`20
`
`be part of a cable television provider. If the client device is a portable or mobile unit
`
`(such as a client device 22a in the vehicular domain or a client device 22d in the
`
`person domain), as explained in more detail below, the client device may receive
`
`stored broadcast content from a home gateway 28 or a hot spot gateway 30 through a
`
`short-range communication system.
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 11 of 667
`
`
`
`8
`
`As illustrated in FIG. 1, the client devices 22a-d may wirelessly communicate
`
`in the communication system 20 through different communication links (see
`
`communication arrows B-E). The wireless communication links B-E may be divided
`
`into individual sets (B-C, D-E) for different types of wireless communication
`
`5
`
`protocols. For instance, the client devices 22a-d may include a first wireless
`
`transceiver that is capable of establishing a wireless communication link B-C through
`
`a short-range wireless communication system or network. In this embodiment, the
`
`short-range wireless communication system or network may include a Bluetooth™
`
`communication system, an IEEE 802.11 communication system, an IEEE 802.16
`
`10
`
`communication system, an IEEE 802.20 communication system, a Wireless Universal
`
`Serial Bus (WUSB) system, or a Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC)
`
`system. The short-range wireless transceiver in a client device 22a-d may provide
`
`direct communication to another client device 22a-d through a home wireless gateway
`
`28 (such as from the client device 22a in the vehicle to the client device 22b, 22c in
`
`15
`
`the home). Alternatively, the short-range wireless transceiver in a client device 22a-d
`
`may provide indirect wireless communication to another client device through a hot
`
`spot gateway 30 (such as from a client device 22a in the vehicle, through the hot spot
`
`gateway 30, to the client device 22b, 22c in the home). The wireless communication
`
`links over the short-range communication system can provide for the exchange of data
`
`20 messages as well as the transfer of stored broadcast content to client devices.
`
`Additionally, the client devices 22a-d may include a second wireless
`
`transceiver that is capable of establishing a wireless communication link D-E through
`
`a second wireless communication system, such as a cellular communication system
`
`and network 32. The cellular communication system and network 32 can operate
`
`25
`
`according to a wireless communication protocol such as a Global System for Mobile
`
`1S01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 12 of 667
`
`
`
`9
`
`Communications (GSM) protocol, a Universal Mobile Telphony System (UMTS)
`
`protocol, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) protocol, a Wideband CDMA
`
`(WCDMA) protocol, a CDMA2000 protocol, or a Time Division Multiple Access
`
`(TDMA) protocol. Here, the cellular system or network 32 is further coupled to the
`
`5
`
`Internet 34 by the cellular service provider 36 or other wired network on route to the
`
`central service provider 24, which may ultimately act as the host for data message
`
`communications between client devices 22a-d. Alternatively, the cellular system or
`
`network 32 is coupled to the Internet 34 or other wired network on route to another
`
`client device (such as from the client device 22a in the vehicle, through to the cellular
`
`10
`
`network provider 36, to the client device 22b, 22c in the home). The above described
`
`wireless communication protocols are merely representative of existing protocols that
`
`could be used in the present invention.
`
`An exemplary client device 22a in a vehicular domain will now be described
`
`in further detail with relation to FIGS. 2-4. In one embodiment, a client device 22a in
`
`15
`
`a vehicle may comprise of two main components: a head unit 40 and a Telematics
`
`control unit 70. Although shown as separate components for purposes of illustration,
`
`one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that aspects
`
`of the head unit 40 and the Telematics control unit 70, and components thereof, can
`
`be combined or swapped. In any event, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the
`
`20
`
`head unit 40 may include a controller 42, a user interface 44, 46, a content receiver
`
`48, a first wireless transceiver 50, a memory 52.
`
`The user interface includes a user input 44 and a user output 46. The user
`
`input 44 may include a keypad or a specific user dedicated set of buttons 54. The user
`
`may use the keypad or dedicated buttons to perform particular functions of the present
`
`25
`
`invention, including a request to delay or reschedule content that is scheduled for a
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 13 of 667
`
`
`
`10
`
`first time period. As described in more detail below, the user may request that
`
`broadcast content that is originally scheduled for a first time period be delayed to a
`
`second time period. The present invention is particular advantageous for users that
`
`want to re-schedule and delay an original broadcast to fit the user's personal schedule.
`
`5
`
`For instance, if the user knows that they regularly commute to work at 7:00 am but
`
`would like to listen to a broadcast (such as a talk show) that begins at 6:30 am, the
`
`user may specify that the broadcast be delayed or otherwise time-slipped by 30
`
`minutes. Alternatively, the broadcast content could be delayed to a later time after
`
`receiving further input from the user. In addition to allowing the user to provide a
`
`10
`
`delay request through the user interface in the vehicular client device 22a, the user
`
`may also make this selection from another client device 22b-22d (such as a personal
`
`computer or another mobile device) that is directed to the vehicular client device 22a.
`
`Additionally, a microphone 56 in the client device 22a may also be used to pick up a
`
`speaker's voice in the vehicle, and/or possibly to give commands to the head unit 40 if
`
`15
`
`it is equipped with a voice recognition module 58.
`
`Ultimately, user inputs 44 are processed by the controller 42 in the head unit
`
`40. The controller 42 also executes processes to provide outputs to the occupants in
`
`the vehicle through the user output 46, such as through a speaker 60 and/or a display
`
`62. The speakers 60 employed can be the audio (radio) speakers normally present in
`
`20
`
`the vehicle, of which there are typically four or more, although only one is shown for
`
`convenience.
`
`The content receiver 48 in the client device 22a is capable of receiving
`
`broadcast content (audio and/or video) from a content provider 26. This is shown in
`
`FIG. 3 through an exemplary satellite content provider by the receipt of a
`
`25
`
`communication link A to the client device 22a. The user may use the user interface to
`
`1S01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 14 of 667
`
`
`
`1 1
`
`select one of a plurality of satellite channels that are received by the satellite receiver
`
`antenna 64. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the client device 22a may also
`
`have an antenna 66 and a radio receiver to receive broadcast content via radio signals
`
`F from local content broadcasters in the geographic area. This type of broadcast
`
`5
`
`content may be obtained through the content receiver 48 by tuning a radio receiver to
`
`a specific radio frequency.
`
`Referring back to FIG. 2, the client device 22a may also obtain stored
`
`broadcast content (as well as exchange data messages with a host system or other
`
`client devices) through the use of the first wireless transceiver 50. The first wireless
`
`10
`
`transceiver 50 is used for establishing wireless communications B-C over a short-
`
`range wireless communication system or network as discussed above. Although
`
`shown as part of the head unit 40, the first wireless transceiver 50 could also be
`
`included as part of the Telematics control unit 70 or other vehicle control unit. In any
`
`event, the short-range wireless transceiver 50 may provide wireless communication to
`
`15
`
`a remote host system 90 (see FIG. 6) over a home gateway 28 or may provide
`
`wireless communication to a remote host controller 90 through a hot spot gateway 30.
`
`Additionally, the client device 22a includes a memory 52 for storing broadcast
`
`content. In one embodiment, the type of content stored in memory 52 may include
`
`content that was scheduled for broadcast during an original broadcast time that the
`
`20
`
`user wishes to playback during a later second time period. The content may be
`
`received through the first wireless transceiver 50 from the home gateway 28. For
`
`instance, assume that a user of the vehicular client device 22a would like to delay the
`
`listening of specific broadcast content that is scheduled during an original first time
`
`period. The user may select an input (either on the client device 22a or from another
`
`25
`
`client device 22b-22d) to delay the playback of an original broadcast program content.
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 15 of 667
`
`
`
`12
`
`A remote host system 90 will obtain the content (in whole or in part) and send the
`
`content to the client 22a for storage in memory 52. The content would then be
`
`automatically played back to the user at the designated second time period.
`
`In the embodiment where the client device 22a is incorporated into the head
`
`5
`
`unit 40 of a vehicle, the controller 42 may also be configured to communicate via a
`
`vehicle bus interface 68 to a vehicle bus 80, which carries communication information
`
`and other operational data throughout the vehicle. This connection may be important
`
`to allow the controller 42 to utilize a cellular communication transceiver in the
`
`Telematics control unit 70 to transmit and receive data messages. In particular, the
`
`10 Telematics control unit 70 is similarly coupled to the vehicle bus 80, via a vehicle bus
`
`interface 72, and hence the head unit 40. The Telematics control unit 70 is
`
`responsible for sending and receiving voice or data communications to and from the
`
`vehicle over a cellular communication network. As such, it comprises a Telematics
`
`controller 74 to organize such communications, and a network access device (NAD)
`
`15
`
`that includes a cellular wireless transceiver 76, which may be used as a second
`
`wireless transceiver for purposes of the present invention as described further below.
`
`In an alternative embodiment, the client device 22a may be configured to seek
`
`out a local wireless communication device to determine whether a data message may
`
`be sent over a second wireless communication system. For instance, in FIG. 5, the
`
`20
`
`controller 42 in the client device 22a may determine whether it has access to a second
`
`wireless communication network through another wireless communication device 110
`
`that is within proximity of the short-range wireless transceiver 50. Here, the wireless
`
`communication device 110, such as a cellular phone, has its own controller 112, a
`
`short-range wireless transceiver 114 and a cellular wireless transceiver 116. The
`
`25
`
`short-range wireless transceivers 50 and 114 may communication with each other
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 16 of 667
`
`
`
`13
`
`through a short-range communication protocol. The benefit of this design is that it
`
`will allow the controller 42 to utilize a cellular transceiver in the local wireless
`
`communication device 110 to transmit and receive data messages, which may be used
`
`as a second wireless transceiver for purposes of the present invention as described
`
`5
`
`further below.
`
`In a further embodiment, the wireless communication device 110 in FIG. 5
`
`could serve as a client device itself. For instance, the wireless communication device
`
`110 may include a controller 112, a memory 115, and transceivers 114, 115. In this
`
`case, the audio or video from any content stored on the wireless communication
`
`10
`
`device 110 could be sent or transmitted over the short-range wireless transceiver 114
`
`to another system or device, such as the head unit 40 in a vehicle. The transmitted
`
`audio or video may then be outputted over the speakers 60 or display 62.
`
`The client device 22a illustrated above can provide a great deal of
`
`communicative flexibility within vehicle to manage and control content with other
`
`15
`
`client devices 22b-d owned by a user. For example, assume for purposes of
`
`illustration that a driver of the vehicle, using client device 22a, is driving to his/her
`
`workplace in the morning and hears an advertisement through their content receiver
`
`48 for a broadcast program such as a talk show or a sporting event that is scheduled
`
`for broadcast during the driver's work day (e.g., beginning at 2 pm). However, the
`
`20
`
`driver is unable to listen to the broadcast program during its originally scheduled time
`
`period because the driver will be at work. The present invention allows the driver to
`
`delay the playback of that originally broadcast program to a later time when the driver
`
`will be back inside the vehicle (e.g., the commute home from work at 5:30 pm). The
`
`driver can initiate this function by submitting an input that requests the content to start
`
`25
`
`at a second time period such as 5:30 pm or at another time specified by the driver. In
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 17 of 667
`
`
`
`14
`
`response to the user's input, the controller 42 in the client device 22a will send a data
`
`message to a remote host controller through either the first wireless transceiver 50
`
`(short-range transceiver) or through the second wireless transceiver 72 (cellular
`
`transceiver), depending on the location of the client device 22a. The remote host
`
`5
`
`controller will obtain the originally scheduled broadcast content and then send the
`
`content to the client device 22a for subsequent playback to the driver during the
`
`driver's designated time period. In one embodiment, the content may be sent to the
`
`client device 22a, from the remote host controller, through a hot spot gateway 30 that
`
`is located at the driver's workplace.
`
`10
`
`The example provided above presents a situation where the entire broadcast
`
`program is obtained by the home gateway 28 and sent to the client device for later
`
`playback. The present invention also solves the problem where the user of the client
`
`device 22a only wants to delay or time-slip the content over a relatively short period
`
`of time. For instance, in another illustrative example, the driver of a vehicle having a
`
`15
`
`client device 22a may know that a regularly scheduled talk show starts at 6:30 am and
`
`would like to listen to the broadcast from the beginning of the talk show. However,
`
`the driver knows that they do not start their commute to work until 6:45 am (15
`
`minutes later). In one embodiment, the driver can use a client device (such as a
`
`. personal computer having a client device 22b) to delay the program by 15 minutes.
`
`20
`
`Here, the driver would submit an input into the client device 22b to request a delay of
`
`the broadcast content during a second time period. The home gateway 28 would then
`
`obtain a first segment of the content (e.g., the first 15 minutes of the broadcast) and
`
`then send the first segment of the content to the vehicular client device 22a. The first
`
`segment of the content received by the vehicular client device 22a would then be
`
`25
`
`stored in the memory 52 of the client device 22a. The vehicular client device 22a
`
`IS01600TC - Gaumond, et al.
`
`Page 18 of 667
`
`
`
`15
`
`would then store the second segment of the content (e.g., the remainder of the
`
`program) itself through its own content receiver 48. The controller 42 would couple
`
`together or overlap the first and second segments of the program to provide seamless
`
`playback to the user of the vehicular client device 22a.
`
`5
`
`In one embodiment, before sending a data message that requests delaying
`
`content to a later time, the controller 42 would determine whether the client device
`
`22a in the vehicle is connected to, or capable of sending messages over, a first
`
`wireless communication system. This may be done by having the controller 42
`
`determine whether the first wireless transceiver 50 is connected to a wireless gateway
`
`10
`
`28 in the home or a hot spot gateway 30 mentioned above. If the client device 22a in
`
`the vehicle is not connected to, or not capable of sending data messages over, a first
`
`wireless communication system, the controller 42 may then make a determination
`
`whether the client device 22a in the vehicle is connected to, or capable of sending data
`
`message over, a second wireless communication system. The second wireless
`
`15
`
`communication system in FIG. 2 is shown as a cellular wireless transceiver 72 in the
`
`Telematics control unit 70 and in FIG. 5 as a cellular wireless transceiver 116 in a
`
`portable