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`PTO/SB/17 (12-04v2)
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`Page 2 of 734
`
`

`

`MOBILE TERMINAL SIGNAL CONVERSION FOR EXTERNAL DISPLAY
`
`Inventors:
`
`Tiejun (Ronald) Wang
`William E. Halal
`Tiehong (Ann) Wang
`XimingWang
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`This application claims the benefit of provisional application serial number
`
`60/588,358 filed on July 16, 2004 and entitled "A Method and System for Displaying the
`
`Multimedia Information from Wireless Communications or Portable IT Devices," the entire
`
`contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1.
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0002]
`
`This invention relates generally to mobile terminals and related technology and
`
`more particularly to mobile terminal signal conversion for external display.
`
`2.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`[0003]
`
`Handheld mobile terminals (e.g., cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDA))
`
`continue to evolve both in terms of execution platform and functionality. It is believed that the
`
`much of the functionality provided by a personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop) will
`
`ultimately become virtually available in handheld mobile terminals, which will allow users to
`
`work with and access multimedia information any time and anywhere.
`
`Page 3 of 734
`
`

`

`[0004]
`
`For example, one particularly appealing advantage of the next generation wireless
`
`communication system and beyond (i.e., 3G, 4G, etc.) is the capacity to support high rate
`
`multimedia data services as well as conventional voice services. In a conventional cellular
`
`system a mobile terminal communicates with a base station wirelessly. Multimedia information
`
`including but not-limited to television, 3D images, network games, and video phone calls is
`
`transmitted from various sefvi.ce providers and received for display on the screen of a mobile
`
`terminal. The net result of such a system is rich multimedia information being destined for
`
`display on the small screens typical of cellular phones (or the like).
`
`[0005]
`
`'In these and similar systems, the mobile. terminal functions as a multimedia terminal
`
`to display multimedia information (including high-resolution graphics and high-quality real-time
`
`audio/video) sent from high data rate wireless communications network. The limited size (e.g.,
`
`2x3") and capability of the mobile terminal screen may render enjoyment of the high rate data
`
`flow applications inconvenient, and in some instances useless. One consequence of this
`
`inadequacy is likely shrinkage of the potential market size for handheld mobile terminals.
`
`Indeed, some have suggested that development of high data rate systems such as 3G systems
`
`may be pointless given the limitations imposed by the small screen.
`
`[0006)
`
`Some mobile units appear to provide a remote control function to an external
`
`display system. However, these do not appear to solve the small screen problem outlined above.
`
`That is, they do not accommodate display on a larger, external display of video and other
`
`multimedia information originally destined for the mobile terminal display screen.
`
`(0007]
`
`For example, one such interface accommodates usage of the mobile terminal as a
`
`remote control for a television, by feeding programming guide information to the mobile
`
`terminal. This is useful for allowing the programming guide to be viewed locally while the
`
`2
`
`Page 4 of 734
`
`

`

`larger screen displays a current program, but does not address to the above-described small
`
`screen problem.
`
`[0008]
`
`Although mobile terminals have been developed to include enhanced signal
`
`processing and related capabilities, user enjoyment is diminished by the limitations of the display
`
`provided with such mobile terminals. What is heeded is a solution to the problem of diminished
`
`user enjoyment of mobile terminals because of display limitations.
`
`3
`
`Page 5 of 734
`
`

`

`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION·
`
`[0009)
`
`In accordance with the present invention, the multimedia signal destined for the
`
`mobile terminal is converted and provided to an external display system, so that the
`
`corresponding video and/or audio may be reproduced using the external system.
`
`!·
`
`[0010]
`
`It is believed that this featuie will be useful in various environments, including but
`
`not limited to transportation environments such as planes, trains and automobiles; hotels; waiting
`
`areas; and any location where high data rate services can be more fully supported by external
`
`display terminals.
`
`(0011]
`
`According to one aspect, processing signals for reproduction by an external display
`
`terminal includes receiving a video signal that accommodates a video display on a first screen
`
`provided by the mobile terminal. The video signal is then processed to provide a converted
`
`video signal appropriate for an external display terminal that is separate from the mobile
`
`terminal. This converted video signal is then provided for the external display terminal to
`
`accommodate the corresponding video display on a screen provided by the external display
`
`terminal.
`
`[0012)
`
`The present invention can be embodied in various forms, including business
`
`processes, computer implemented methods, computer program products, computer systems and
`
`networks, user interfaces, application programming interfaces, and the like.
`
`4
`
`Page 6 of 734
`
`

`

`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013]
`
`These and other more detailed and specific features of the present invention are
`
`more fully disclosed in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying
`
`drawings, in which:
`
`[0014]
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system in which mobile
`
`terminal signal conversion may reside in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile terminal signal
`
`conversion module in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0016]
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a mobile terminal signal
`
`conversion module in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0017]
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process including mobile
`
`terminal signal conversion in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0018]
`
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a system in which
`
`mobile terminal signal conversion may reside in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0019]
`
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating still another example of a system in which
`
`mobile terminal signal conversion may reside in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0020)
`
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of mobile terminal signal
`
`conversion applications in accordance with the present invention.
`
`5
`
`Page 7 of 734
`
`

`

`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0021]
`
`In the foil owing description, for purposes of explanation, nwnerous details are set
`
`forth, such as flowcharts and system configurations, in order to provide an understanding of one
`
`or more embodiments of the present invention. However, it is and will-be apparent to one skilled
`
`in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the present invention.
`
`[0022]
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system 100 in which
`
`mobile terminal signal conversion may reside in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0023]
`
`Mobile terminal signal conversion accommodates displaying the high rate data flow
`
`multimedia information available in a wireless communication environment in an external
`
`device. This accommodates true realization and enjoyment of the benefits of the multimedia
`
`content.
`
`[0024]
`
`In one example, the multimedia information is provided to a wireless mobile
`
`terminal using so-called next generation cellular technology (i.e., 3G and 4G), which can be
`
`employed in transmitting multimedia information (e.g., rich graphics, real-time audio/video).
`
`Because of the relatively small screen size and low quality ear phones, for many applications the
`
`mobile terminal cannot adequately reproduce the high quality multimedia information that can be
`
`communicated using next generation technology with adequate clarity and satisfaction. Mobile
`
`terminal signal conversion in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention makes
`
`usage of a separate multimedia display terminal including but not limited to a moriitor, television
`
`set, projector, or LCD display. These displays typically have video and audio reproduction
`
`capabilities that are superior to those found on mobile terminals. They also use a power supply
`
`that is separate from the mobile terminal.
`
`6
`
`Page 8 of 734
`
`

`

`[0025]
`
`Still referring to the system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, multimedia infonnation may
`
`be provided by any number of service providers I 02a-b and delivered through a. network 104 to a
`
`base station 106 to ultimately accommodate transmission of the multimedia infonnation, among
`
`other things, to a cellular phone 108. This system 100 is provided by way of example, and it
`
`should be understood that any conventional or to-be-developed technology for deliveri.ng voice
`
`and/or data to mobile terminals may be provided.· These wireless communication networks
`
`include but are not limited to a cellular communications network or a wireless local area
`
`network.
`
`[0026]
`
`Also illustrated is a typical external display system 114. This may also be variously
`
`provided and may be digital or analog. Examples of digital systems include HDTV, LCD and
`
`plasma Examples of analog systems include television sets that implement standards such as
`
`NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and analog computer monitors (SVGA, VGA). The external display
`
`system 114 does not have the size constraints of the display screen on the cellular phone 108 and
`
`is preferably powered independently.
`
`[0027]
`
`In the illustrated embodiment, a mobile terminal signal conversion module
`
`(MTSCM) 112 resides within a separate housing 110, outside the cellular phone 108.
`
`[0028)
`
`The functionality of the MTSCM 112 is now further described with concurrent
`
`reference to FIG. I and the flow diagram of FIG. 4.
`
`[0029)
`
`The MTSCM 112 processes signals to accommodate reproduction by an external
`
`device. Specifically, a multimedia signal is transmitted to the cellular phone 108 through the
`
`wireless communications network as previously described (step 402). The multimedia signal
`
`may include a video signal intended for reproduction by the cellular phone 108, using the cellular
`
`phone display screen. For ease of description, processing of a video signal is described, although
`
`7
`
`Page 9 of 734
`
`

`

`it should be understood that any multimedia signal or component thereof may be converted in
`
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`(0030]
`
`The cellular phone 108 is connected to the MTSCM 110. This may be
`
`accommodated by a cable connection that' interfaces the cellular phone l 08 to the MTSCM 112
`
`housing 110. Through this connection, the MTSCM 112 receives the video signal from the
`
`cellular phone 108 (step 404). The video signal as received may be configured to accommodate
`
`a video display on the screen provided by the cellular phone 108. The cable connection is an
`
`example of a wired connection interfacing the cellular phone I 08 to the MTSCM 112. An
`
`alternative wired connection is a seat that directly interfaces the two without a cable. A wireless
`
`connection may also be provided, although it may currently be less practical to provide than the
`
`wired connection because of the potential for high throughput rate requirements. The wireless
`
`connection may also implement any conventional known technology including but not limited to
`
`a Bluetooth connection.
`
`[0031)
`
`The MTSCM 112 processes the video signal to provide a converted video signal
`
`that has a display format and/or signal power level appropriate for an external display terminal
`
`114 that is separate from the cellular phone 108 (step 406). The display format and/or signal
`
`power level of the external display terminal 114 may be different from that of the cellular phone
`
`108 but there may also be embodiments where the format is the same. Even if the formats are
`
`the same, conversion of the signals to accommodate display on the external display terminal 114
`
`would still be implemented to adjust the power level for driving the external display, and
`
`possibly to minimize throughput requirements. This signal conversion is described further with
`
`reference to FIGs. 2 and 3, below.
`
`8
`
`.-
`
`Page 10 of 734
`
`

`

`[0032)
`
`Still referring to FIGs. 1 and 4,.following signal conversion, the MTSCM 112
`
`provides the converted video signal to the external display terminal 114 to accommodate the
`
`corresponding video display on a screen provided by the external display tenninal 114 (step
`
`408). This may be accommodated through a connection between the MTSCM 112 housing 110
`
`and the external display termmal 114 as shown.
`
`[0033]
`
`As used herein, mobile terminal refers to typically hand.held mobile devices such as
`
`cellular phones and personal digital assistants. Although these devices include an execution
`
`platfonn as well as input and display capabilities, such devices are distinguished from personal
`
`computers, such as desktop or laptop computers, which are not designed for convenient hand.held
`
`usage.
`
`[0034)
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an MTSCM 200 in accordance
`
`with the present invention. The MTSCM 200 may be provided as software, firmware, hardware,
`
`or any combination thereof.
`
`[0035)
`
`Where the MTSCM 200 is provided as software, it operates in the context of an
`
`execution platfonn. That is, the MTSCM 200 includes instructions that are stored in memory for
`
`execution by a processor. Any conventional or to-be-developed execution platform may be used.
`
`The processor, memory, and related elements such as a power supply are well known and need
`
`not be described herein to convey an understanding of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 2
`
`illustrates one modular breakdown for the components of the MTSCM 200. It should be
`
`understood that the described functionality may alternatively be provided by an MTSCM having
`
`fewer, greater, or differently named modules from those illustrated in the figure.
`
`[0036]
`
`Additionally, although modules as shown to reside in a common location, it is noted
`
`that the functionality may reside in separate components of a system that includes a mobile
`
`9
`
`Page 11 of 734
`
`

`

`terminal, an external monitor, and (optionally) an intermediate device housing the MTSCM and
`
`interfacing the mobile terminal a:nd external monitor. In other words, the ove~ll functionality
`
`of the MTSCM may be separated such that portions of the overall functionality are respectively
`
`provided by the mobile terminal, separate intermediate housing, and/or the external display
`
`device.
`
`[0037)
`
`The MTSCM 200 may also be provided in the form of a chipset, configured for
`
`inclusion in a mobile terminal, dedicated separate signal conversion device, or external display
`
`terminal, and to provide the described mobile terminal signal conversion functionality.
`
`[0038]
`
`The MTSCM 200 includes a mobile terminal interface module 202, a signal
`
`conversion module 204, and an external device interface module 206.
`
`[0039]
`
`The mobile terminal interface module 202 accommodates receiving the multimedia
`
`signal from the mobile terminal. A conventional physical interface provides a connection
`
`between the MTSCM 200 and the mobile terminal through which the signals flow to the
`
`MTSCM 200. The mobile terminal interface module 202 recognizes the multimedia signal and
`
`stores the signal for processing by the remaining modules. Buffering and the like may be
`
`implemented to accommodate storage and signal processing, as described further below.
`
`[0040]
`
`The signal conversion module 204 is in communication with the mobile terminal
`
`interface module 202 and thus accesses the received multimedia signal. The signal conversion
`
`module 204 recognizes the multimedia signal format, and processes the multimedia signal to
`
`provide a converted signal. The converted signal may have a format and a signal power level
`
`that differs from the one used by the mobile terminal, as appropriate for one or more types of
`
`external devices to which the MTSCM 200 is connected. Various examples of the type of
`
`10
`
`Page 12 of 734
`
`

`

`devices to which the MTSCM 200 may be connected are illustrated and described in connection
`
`with FIG. 3, below.
`
`[0041]
`
`The external device interface 206 is in communication with the signal conversion
`
`module 204 and thus accesses the converted signal. The external device interface 206 also
`
`allows connection to the external (e.g., displlly) device. The external device interface.206 may
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`provide both the feeding of the converted signal to the external device, and driving the external
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`device. Alternatively, the external device interface 206 may merely feed the converted signal to
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`the external device, with the external device including internal elements for driving its signal
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`reproduction (e.g., display) facilities.
`
`[0042]
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the MTSCM 300. The
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`MTSCM 300 includes additional detail regarding the signal conversion aspect, and illustrates
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`examples of differing types of external devices to which the MTSCM 300 may provide
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`converted signals. The illustration and corresponding description are provided by way of
`
`example. Although numerous connections are illustrated, it should be understood that the
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`present invention may be practiced in the context of providing as few as one, and as many as all
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`of the listed connections. It should also be understood that there may be additional examples that
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`are not listed herein, but which are encompassed by the teachings described herein.
`
`(0043]
`
`The MTSCM 300 includes an interface/buffer module 302 that is analogous to the
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`previously described mobile terminal interface module. The buffer and interfacing are
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`configured to accommodate signal processing by the remaining elements in support of the
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`requirements and expectations of users of the multimedia signal output (e.g., adequate buffering
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`and processing rate to provide real time audio/video). The mobile terminal video compression
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`format may of course vary, but currently the most likely format is MPEG-1 or MPEG-2.
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`ll
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`Buff~ring and throughput rate may also be provided as desired by the designer. Currently, it is
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`believed that 200 Mb i~ an adequate buffer size, although buffers of 500 Mb or !11ore may of
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`course be provided. Additionally, a throughput rate of approximately 10 Gb/s will be adequate
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`for many current systems, but may be increased as demands and technology evolve.
`
`[0044)
`
`The Video Compress Decoder 304a receives the multimedia signal. The.
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`multimedia signal is typically provided in a compressed format to accommodate increased signal
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`transfer rates. An example of a compression scheme is that provided by one of the MPEG
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`standards (e.g., MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4). The Video Compress Decoder 304a is
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`configured to include the appropriate compression/decompression (CODEC) module to
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`accommodate decompression of the received multimedia signal. For example, where the
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`compression scheme is MPEG, the Video Compress Decoder 304a includes an MPEG CODEC
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`to accommodate processing of such multimedia signals.
`
`[0045)
`
`As an alternative to provision of the Video Compress Decoder 304a in the MTSCM
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`300, the functionality may be provided within the cellular phone or other mobile terminal.
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`However, this may be less practical because of the high bandwidth that would be required
`
`between the cellular phone and the MTSCM 300 to deliver the decompressed signal, and the
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`corresponding likelihood of a larger buffer requirement for the MTSCM 300.
`
`[0046)
`
`The Video Compress Decoder 304a outputs a decompressed digital multimedia
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`signal that is passed to the Digital/ Analog Video Encoder (DA VE) 304b and/or the
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`Digital/Digital Video Encoder (DDVE) 304c. The DA VE 304b is configured to prepare signals
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`for analog external display terminals 320, and the DDVE 304c is configured to prepare signals
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`for digital external display terminals 322. The DA VE 304b and DDVE 304c respectively
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`12
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`receive the decompressed multimedia signal and convert the signals· to.the fonnat(s) and signal
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`power level(s) required for the terminals to which they interface.
`
`[0047]
`
`Examples of formats used by analog display terminals 320 include S-video,
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`RGBHV, RGBS, and EIA770.3 as illustrated. Similarly, the DDVE 304c provides output using
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`:..standards such as DVI, DVI-D, HDMI, and IEEE1394.
`
`the signals respectively provided by
`
`the DAVE 304b and DDVE 304c are provided to the terminals through conyentional interfaces
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`306a-b. The DA VE 304b functionality may be embodied as a video card that is configured
`
`accordingly. Examples of video cards that may be configured to provide the described
`
`functionality include but are not limited to the Diamond Stealth S60, ASUS V9400-X, or
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`RADEON 7000.
`
`[0048J
`
`Ultimately, the signals are used to provide a display on the external display, as
`
`required according to the particular type of display. For example, the video data stream may be
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`a digital RGB signal which represents the intensity of the red, green and blue light respectively at
`
`different position. This signal is converted to analog by a D/ A converter. This converted analog
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`signal is quantified to the voltage and fonnat required by the standard, such as the input of
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`cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitor. This standard video signal will drive a set of electron guns,
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`which produce a controlled stream of electrons to display of red, green and blue light
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`respectively on a CRT screen. This is but one example and the present invention is not limited
`
`to a particular technology (e.g., CRT) for the external display.
`
`[0049)
`
`As described, in one embodiment the MTSCM may be independently housed
`
`separately from both the mobile terminal and external display terminal, with respective
`
`connections to the other devices to provide a system configuration that includes the three pieces
`
`of hardware (mobile tenninal, conversion box, external display terminal). This configuration
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`provides the flexibility of allowing any standard mobile terminal and/or display to be potentially
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`interface with the MTSCM without imposing constraints on the mobile terminal or external
`.
`display terminal manufacturers. A possible drawback to this configuration is that additional
`
`'
`
`hardware is introduced into the system.
`
`[0050]
`
`In lieu of the three component system, the MTSCM may be=located in either the
`
`mobile terminal or the external display. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram ilhistrates an example of
`
`a system 500 in which the MTSCM mobile terminal signal conversion may reside within the
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`mobile terminal 508. The components and functionality of the service providers 502a,b network
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`504 and base station 506 for delivering multimedia signals to the mobile terminal 508 is the same
`
`as for the analogous elements of FIG. 1 and need not be re-described. Similarly, the external
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`display terminal 514 may be any of the various types named above.
`
`[00511
`
`The MTSCM 512 provides the same functionality described above. However, in
`
`contrast to residence in a separate housing, the MTSCM 512 is a component of the mobile
`
`terminal 508. A potential advantage of this system 500 is that, again, any standard equipment
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`can serve as an external display terminal 514, without a constraint on the display manufacturer.
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`Additionally, only a simple wired or wireless interface is required to connect the external display
`
`with the mobile terminal 508. This means, for example, that the user will not be required to
`
`carry a bulky conversion module in addition to their cellular phone.
`
`[0052]
`
`A potential drawback to this system 500 is that the execution platform of the mobile
`
`terminal 508 may be designed to accommodate only traditional functionality, so for some
`
`systems it may be challenging to add the MTSCM functionality to