(12) United States Patent
`Teram0t0 et al.
`
`USOO6885643B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,885,643 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`(54) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FACILITATING
`EFFICIENT DATA TRANSFER WIAA
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`(75) Inventors: Keiichi Teramoto, Tokyo (JP);
`Yoshiaki Takabatake, Kanagawa (JP);
`Junko Ami, Tokyo (JP); Kensaku
`Fujimoto, Kanagawa (JP)
`
`- - -
`(*) Notice:
`
`(73) Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kawasaki
`(JP)
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 756 days
`a --
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/671,012
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 28, 2000
`O
`O
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Sep. 30, 1999
`(JP) ........................................ P.11-280651
`7
`(51) Int. Cl." ...................................... ...To H04L 1226
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 370/252; 370/338; 370/463;
`370/469
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 370/252-253,
`370/338,469, 231-236, 463,329
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,764,699 A : 6/1998 Needham et al.
`2. R : s28; i. et al .. 38.i.
`24 12
`aKal el al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`6,301,609 B1 10/2001 Aravamudan et al. ...... 709/207
`6,480.889 B1
`11/2002 Saito et al. ................. 702
`6.72s244 B1
`4/2004 Takabatake ................. 370/392
`6,845,090 B1
`1/2005 Takabatake ................. 370/338
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`O844. 769
`5/1998
`
`EP
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`
`8-116424
`10-154996
`10-164107
`WO95/35002
`
`5/1996
`6/1998
`6/1998
`12/1995
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 09/343,509.*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Dang Ton
`ASSistant Examiner-Robert C Scheibel
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oblon, Spivak, McClelland,
`Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A wireleSS network System capable of controlling highly
`efficient transfer of AV data by an upper application, using
`information indicating a wireleSS link condition that varies
`dynamically is disclosed. In this wireleSS network System, a
`wireleSS terminal and a wire gateway apparatus each Store
`collected wireleSS link condition information in a descriptor.
`An upper application on the wireleSS terminal reads the
`descriptor at Said terminal device and obtains wireleSS LAN
`link condition information. The wireless gateway apparatus
`makes notification to a wireless terminal of a VTR, for
`example, that actually exists in a 1394 terminal as if it
`existed as a Sub-unit in the local terminal device. The
`wireleSS terminal accesses the collected wireleSS link con
`dition information and selects a AV/C command to be sent
`to the VTR sub-unit of the wireless gateway apparatus. The
`wireleSS terminal transferS the play command for playback
`to the wireleSS gateway apparatus. The wireleSS gateway
`apparatus transfers the play command to a VTR Sub-unit
`within a terminal on the wired network. In accordance with
`this action, the VTR Sub-unit within the terminal on the
`wired network starts transfer of AV data.
`
`23 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`508b.
`APPLICATION
`
`PARAMETER
`CONVERSION
`SECTION
`
`s
`
`AWAPPLICATION
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`507
`e
`
`DISPLAY
`SECTION
`
`505 || 506
`
`SDP
`PROCESSOR
`
`PARAMETER
`CONVERSION
`SECTION
`
`AWAC
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`SDP
`NFORMATION
`STORAGE
`SECTION
`
`LINK
`MONOR
`PROCESSOR
`(IMP)
`
`
`
`ACL
`
`BLUETOOTH INTERFACE PROCESSOR
`(RF/BASEBAND)
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG.1
`
`BT TERMINAL 101
`
`7
`
`BT TERMINAL 111
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Display
`SubUnit
`
`102
`
`SDP
`INFORMATION
`
`103
`
`USER
`
`WIRELESS
`LLNK
`(BLUETOOTH)
`
`VTR
`SubUnit
`
`
`
`
`
`112
`
`
`
`SDP
`INFORMATION
`
`113
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG.2
`28
`
`A/V APPLICATION
`
`
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`26
`
`27
`
`30s, t-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-za
`
`22
`
`21
`
`L2CAP PROCESSOR
`
`ACL
`
`211 212
`
`- SCO
`
`BASEBAND PROCESSOR
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`mamZ—ZO~H<§OWZ~
`
`M2:HmmmOPm
`
`mofimLam7mZOF<SHMOH~ZH
`
`x54HmWMOFm
`
`flY\/2:mH:q<z§mmfiHm$5852022:$2923Fm
`
`
`
`
`mUZmEMmemam—Fromm:whim—m;QZ<mmmkoEU<mEU<O~EQ<:~“Hofiw1~<Z~§mHFm
`
`Nofim
`
`:_17:szFmOHQmHUmZZCUm:2:4<Zd>amrwFm
`
`madam”Wm
`
`
`
`
`
`AmomxxmmE5328QZ<2§OUU\><
`
`
`
`Emmdmaq‘kmmA/.\1/00Hmmowm,ZO~H<U~BHOZ:chsmMH>vmmZOmmmMU\><
`
`
`:FOOFMDJmZOMmEmwamF<F<Q><momE<UNAVZOHHUm—ZZOU
`
`
`
`
`
`33>E
`
`
`
`
`
`EEE298548zoF<2monZEmimmaommEm
`
`SEQ2922:“?><
`
`222587:v2:533?;
`
`230wt:no
`
`mam
`
`M25kmmmOHmMZE[rmmEOFm
`
`mam7mZOE<SEOLZHQO7:ZOF<§OLZ~Shofim
`
`no;
`
`02432200
`
`
`
`U\><HomfimfiHflHm
`
`<H<Q><2Hm92%QZ<EEOU0:2
`
`mmmmgF
`
`aim
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 4
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG.4
`
`S11
`
`PUBLIC BROWSE ROOT
`
`S21
`
`S22
`
`S23
`
`ENTERTAINMENT
`(G)
`
`NEWS(G)
`
`REFERENCE
`(G)
`
`S25
`S26
`DICTIONARY YT-LINK(G)
`(S)
`/
`
`
`
`
`
`S28
`
`59%
`
`
`
`
`
`S31
`5. CHANNEL(S)
`BANDWIDTH(S) Z
`
`S32
`
`3
`S3
`
`S34
`
`55 M
`
`^
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG.5
`
`508b.
`
`508
`
`507
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLICATION
`PARAMETER
`CONVERSION
`SECTION
`
`AV APPLICATION
`PROCESSOR
`
`DISPLAY
`SECTION
`
`SDP
`INFORMATION
`STORAGE
`SECTION
`
`SDP
`PARAMETER
`PROCESSOR CONVERSION
`SECTION
`
`AV/C
`PROCESSOR
`
`AV DATA
`PROCESSOR
`
`LINK
`MONITOR
`PROCESSOR
`(LMP)
`
`
`
`V
`
`L2CAP PROCESSOR
`
`BLUETOOTH INTERFACE PROCESSOR
`(RF/BASEBAND)
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG.6
`
`28
`
`A/V APPLICATION
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`27
`
`Z2
`
`2
`
`/.
`
`29
`
`21
`
`22222
`lar
`car processor
`-2.
`
`L2CAP PROCESSOR
`
`LMP
`
`ACL
`
`-
`
`212
`211 1.
`
`SCO
`
`BASEBAND PROCESSOR
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`U\><7mZOF<§OLZ~
`
`m2:E$558%
`
`U\><7DZO~H<§OL7=
`
`M2:HmmMOHm
`
`_:q<z§mmfiEOFameumzzoua2:A<E2mm§EmOJNOBm
`
`m<U~J>m
`
`
`
`
`
`moZmHmUmmwhmeHOmm:FEM;DZ<”HEROEU<mIU<OMnE<:1SHJANE/mm“.HmA4\/Sbm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H:£25259hm“$555202S.S<z§~mfiE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Amum<mm:chanDEE—ZOOU\><
`
`
`
`WORMDAZOCKUCFOZ:cbnzw”EKGumZOmmmEU\><
`
`
`
`
`
`50053qu20mummzéw<55><memaxfimdzoiomzzou:mimfimm
`
`MZHAHmmaOHm
`
`
`
`U\><7mZOHH<§On=fihObm
`
`
`
`532%533589@32280:2
`
`U\><Z—ZOE<§OLZ~
`EZRAFmmMOr—LmhObm
`
`
`
`mQ<mmZOHH<UHJnE<><
`
`
`
`ZOHF<E~HOLZ_vz/qq
`
`230m:LO
`
`mOhm
`
`mobm
`
`
`
`
`
`EOE/\BESZZQFSQEExz:EvmngmmmQ><
`
`
`
`.QZ<EZOU>\U<LO>EHOZQZ<hUmEmw
`
`ZOHH<§OL7EMK:HmZOOma<m
`
`:bm
`
`
`
`252%
`
`
`
`Emma/HEP<F<Q><
`
`
`|I|DSS$
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 8
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26
`
`9
`
`2005
`
`Sheet 8 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`
`
`3%mi;\Am
`
`NOEESFBBO
`
`
`
`mi;5832
`
`VOmmEHHEumBO
`
`\\
`x\
`
`nommazaz
`
`EmmEEm
`
`LOmumEDZ
`
`EHmmDMHZm
`
`Ix3%593923\.
`
`\~
`
`50sz
`
`35935;:
`
`$595?
`
`mqmzzéu\x\
`MO#53232
`
`
`
`KHmmmmHZm
`
`dioiumao
`
`
`
`.OUmEBmEO
`
`mommmzaz
`
`Emagzm
`
`Hm”SELUMRXU
`
`\
`
`\mmFDmEmrrhd.
`
`5233‘m:
`
`5025
`
`gong:
`
`noawe/52
`
`:EmEEzm
`
`U§5Emo
`
`€538
`
`AEFUMHQO
`
`5:850
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 9
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG.9
`
`908
`
`907
`
`AV APPLICATION PROCESSOR
`
`DISPLAY
`SECTION
`
`909
`
`905
`
`910
`
`906
`
`INFORMATION
`CONVERSION
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`AV/C
`INFORMATION || AV DATA
`STORAGE
`PROCESSOR
`SECTION
`
`902
`
`
`
`LINK
`MONITOR
`PROCESSOR
`(LMP)
`901
`
`L2CAP PROCESSOR
`
`? 901
`
`V7
`
`ACL
`
`BLUETOOTH INTERFACE PROCESSOR
`(RF/BASEBAND)
`
`9012
`
`SCO
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 10 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`mfimflfl
`
`E595
`
`£30,538
`
`gig;
`
`25
`
`:cDgsm
`
`2.9m]
`
`
`
`fimofiJ<ZE2~EFHm
`
`wwmqmmge
`
`H2:><>>mh<0
`
`:5HA<ZE>EmEL.33
`
`32
`
`zofi<§0mz~
`
`Em
`
`mmmD
`
`ZOF<EMOLZH
`
`ADM
`
`vmmfimmm:
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 11
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 11
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`mUZmHmHXm.mkmmkoEu<m>Emm>
`
`
`
`
`
`an:jazzy—lHmD72:9><>>mh<0mmmqmfig
`
`jsmm
`
`E:fizfizfifiE
`
`7.542202:2$353$35;82302a:Hfimvwm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:2><3mP<OmmmqmydaZmEmmZOEUWZZOUNommAllllllllillizx
`
`
`
`
`
`mamOHZOE<E¢OLZ~mamOHZOF<EMOLZH
`
`M2:529mmommm2:E29wmomm
`
`SSA<7E>EmilFmQ72.
`
`8mmr338
`
`
`womm)memw
`5mm)A\;DAmomm
`“luxllllllllllvAlllllllullllilllllY
`
`
`
`§5€m|5>V20F<§8EE528capesmIME/ZQZEEEE28
`
`
`ZOF<EMOLZH:cbnsmHUmSAOUZOF<§OLZ~E5016HUmeOU
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MOL$60quZOHHUmmZZOUmagma/Chm203.30meAOUOHONEmwwGUmm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:HOOHNDAQZOanmmZxfimP<H<D><AZOHHUm—ZZOUEmfifigfihmmv
`
`
`
`mQ<mEZOHH<USAE<>4.
`
`7390wtLO
`
`ZOHH<§OmZHmam
`
`2mm
`
`H<20F395meMZHAOHMW
`
`Hmm0mam22w
`ZOHH<§OLZHM2:
`FmLOLaw89mOfimm
`
`.DZ<§OUU\><WEHOZQZ<Humqmm
`
`ZOF<EMOL7EME;km20Dmm<m
`
`3mm
`
`A%WHMWDDZ<EEOU«EDDEEEOUmi
`
`
`
`ammmzfifi
`
`<H<QSED$><
`
`(\Jimm
`
`3mm
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 12
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`FIG. 12
`1208b.
`
`1208
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GATEWAY
`PARAMETER
`CONVERSION
`SECTION
`
`GATEWAY PROCESSOR
`(AV/C PROCESSOR)
`
`
`
`SDP
`INFORMATION
`STORAGE
`SECTION
`
`SDP
`PARAMETER
`PROCESSOR CONVERSION
`SECTION
`
`AV DATA
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`LINK
`MONITOR
`PROCESSOR
`(LMP)
`
`L2CAP
`PROCESSOR
`
`TRANSACTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BLUETOOTH INTERFACE PROCESSOR
`(RF/BASEBAND)
`
`IEEE1394
`INTERFACE
`PROCESSOR
`(PHY/LINK)
`
`
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 13 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`HNMHA<Z=2mmbmmmdmmHB
`
`S.05
`
`2305mm:
`
`mmmqmwma
`
`zfi
`
`
`
`:2><>9mH<OmmmquB
`
`52A<ZE>§MFFag
`
`:EDnzw
`
`MH>
`
`mmmfi
`
`292502
`
`35mg?
`
`7:23
`
`ZOHH<EMOLZH
`
`mmmqmmgw
`
`£23
`
`359%
`
`vmmHmum:
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 14
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 14
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 14 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`3.05
`
`5me
`
`mo<mud<HE2Em2535mg
`
`
`
`
`zofi<2mEEBm55qmovm
`
`a.a.40,
`
`miammm531112»
`
`mo0:2EH52movm
`
`32dab/dim?Hm
`
`
`:2EBBS35mm;EmdoEzoa
`
`
`
`52mQOZ#02
`
`wovmfilllllllv
`
`QEQWEEZOF<§EE252a
`zoF<2mon~EEpsom55qumovwTll|||ul|1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8%TIL
`
`cappgmnmgvzofidqzmonz£593
`
`woqmPTIQ|I||V
`zoP<2m0m7=.9:85eumjou
`
`
`
`novm
`
`
`
`922:8gsfiae223587:~995me
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`03mAzowbmzzoo:mimfimmfiouoeommmwwsum:Ebumkmmovm
`
`«Sum
`
`;A072.2200maDmfivm
`
`
`
`mfimzée<H<QAOED<V><
`
`Q3228Em
`
`Allllllllllilllllvv
`
`()mgm
`
`
`
`
`
`25mmmfimEBzomfimzfii<20;><dz<zzouu\><wnEoz9255mm24%
`
`
`
`ZOHCEZMOMZHvzéqZ<AmmmqmabzwZOQmm<m
`
`
`
`m8mumoommm9:203.lllllllnllll
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 15
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 15 0f 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`m¢<,)
`
`
`
`:FQHBQEMH\\fim<:Hmvzmd
`
`
`
`EEJNEQHNLWF
`
`WWHDBME<
`
`no@8232
`
`
`
` \:5;ngI‘mmflx83m.8Same
`
`\\Emmwfizm
`
`mqmzézux\>V<[\x\
`
`xefiaammfi
`
`muggy:
`
`mommmzzz
`
`Emmfifizw
`
`fiiééfiofimo
`
`N
`
`:5ng
`
`mi?\o.
`
`
`
`mixmJEmWEvommznriomhmo/
`
`I
`
`m0Mmm—ZDZ
`
`SmmEr—LZm
`
`25,3385?
`
`$55st
`
`LOMmszZ
`
`2wmabzm
`
`3822598
`
`ESEBmEO
`
`LOmmmEDZ
`
` cic}.EFL":KC_a_mEMHZH
`
`
`‘14:.n).—<)111)
`
`5,—6qu
`
`Foomfincfi
`
`meDmambix
`
`”HOmmmEDZ
`
`3+5mBMHZm
`
`USfiumfio
`
`€535
`
`Afibummmo
`
`mEoEoU
`
`,EZDmDmMH>
`
`|PR2018—O1413
`
`Sony EX1015 Page 16
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 26, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`1609
`
`AV/C
`INFORMATION
`STORAGE
`SECTION
`
`
`
`FIG.16
`
`1608
`
`GATEWAY PROCESSOR (AV/C PROCESSOR)
`
`INFORMATION
`COLLECTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`1607
`
`AV DATA
`PROCESSOR
`
`1605
`
`
`
`
`
`MAC
`PROCESSOR
`
`TRANSACTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`16011
`
`
`
`N/
`
`FALL BACK
`PROCESSOR
`
`IEEE 802.11 INTERFACE PROCESSOR
`
`16O2
`
`IEEE 394
`INTERFACE
`PROCESSOR
`(PHY/LINK)
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 17
`
`

`

`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FACILITATING
`EFFICIENT DATA TRANSFER WIAA
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`2
`In current wireless LAN specifications (Such as
`Bluetooth), however, there are no functions for “acquiring
`condition information of the wireless link” or “notify an
`upper application of the condition of the wireleSS link.”
`Additionally, because upper applications on the IEEE 1394
`(such as the AV/C Protocol) were devised with the assump
`tion of execution in a wired network, these upper applica
`tions also lack an “information element for holding link
`condition information' and a function for “acquiring link
`condition information.”
`In the case in which AV data is transferred on a medium
`in which the link condition (Such as usable transmission
`bandwidth) varies, such as in a wireless network, when an
`upper layer protocol (upper application) Such as AV/C is
`executed, it was not possible to ascertain the condition of the
`link, which represents a downstream layer. For this reason,
`it was difficult to select the AV data type and transfer rate
`uSable on the linked to be used and to perform Smooth,
`efficient AV data transfer.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a wireleSS terminal device, a gateway device, and a
`wireleSS data transfer control method in an environment
`exhibiting dynamic variations, Such as a wireless
`environment, or an environment in which there is connec
`tion between a wired network and a wireleSS network, which
`enable efficient data transfer processing, giving consider
`ation to variation in the condition of the wireleSS link.
`A feature of the present invention is that the condition of
`a dynamically varying wireleSS link condition information is
`disclosed to an upper application, and that a determination
`of whether or not data transfer is possible is made, and the
`transfer parameters for AV (audio/video) content data being
`established in accordance with the wireleSS link condition.
`An aspect of the present invention is a terminal device for
`control of data between communicating entities on a net
`work via a wireleSS link comprising
`an interface Section for performing Sending and receiving
`of packets with a remote communicating entity,
`a link Setting Section for Setting a link for control and for
`data transfer with the remote communicating entity,
`a wireleSS link information acquisition Section for acquir
`ing wireleSS link information indicating the condition
`of a wireleSS link between said terminal device and a
`remote communicating entity in the network t the time
`of Setting the link, and for updating the wireleSS link
`information acquired at the time of Setting the link by
`the current dynamically acquired wireless link
`information,
`a wireleSS link information Storage Section for Storing the
`above-noted acquired or updated wireless link
`information, and
`an application Section for, based on the wireleSS link
`information stored in the wireless link information
`Storage Section, for determining whether or not data can
`be transferred and, if data transfer is possible, optimiz
`ing a transfer parameter for transfer of data with the
`remote communicating entity, in accordance with the
`wireleSS link information, this transfer parameter being
`used to receive data from or Send data to the remote
`communicating entity, via the interface Section.
`It is possible to use the Descriptor in the SDP Protocol, for
`example, as a wireleSS link information Storage means.
`It is preferable that the wireless link information stored in
`the wireleSS link information Storage Section includes wire
`
`15
`
`25
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a wireleSS terminal
`device, a gateway device, and a wireleSS data transfer
`control method. In particular, it relates to technology in a
`data communication System which executes an upper appli
`cation Such as an AV (audio/video) protocol as to a wireless
`network exhibiting dynamic variations in the condition of
`the wireleSS link or in an integrated network System encom
`passing a wireleSS network and wired network So as to
`perform efficient transfer of content data.
`2. Related Art
`With the recent increase in the use of digital equipment,
`the implementation of networks in the home has gained
`attention. At present, the IEEE Std 1394 (hereinafter abbre
`viated IEEE 1394), which was devised as a connecting wired
`for connection between AV equipment, has gained attention
`as a home-use network media. The IEEE 1394 is a high
`Speed bus capable of connection between a plurality of
`terminals by a daisy chain or Star-configured connection,
`with transfer of broad bank data performed at speeds
`exceeding 100 Mbps. It is possible on a single wired to
`perform transfer both asynchronous data and isochronous
`data.
`The achievement of high Speeds in wireleSS networks
`(wireless LANs) is also gaining attention, and wireless LAN
`products conforming to IEEE Std 802.11 have already
`appeared and are going through a process of price reduction.
`Along with advancing Speeds and price reductions for Such
`wireleSS technology, there are active efforts being made to
`apply this wireleSS technology in the home network as well.
`In the US, such industry groups as Home RF and Bluetooth
`have been established, and great advances are expected in
`the future.
`A high-Speed, low-cost wireleSS network is thought to be
`highly acceptable for use in the home network. For this
`reason, a System that combines a high-Speed, low-cost
`wireless LAN and the IEEE 1394 is expected to form the
`core of home networks in the future.
`However, in an environment in which the IEEE 1394 bus
`is integrated with a wireleSS LAN, there are a number of
`problems.
`The first problem is that protocols executed on the IEEE
`1394 bus (for example, the AV/C Digital Interface Com
`mand Set General Specification, IEEE 1394-1995), were
`50
`originally developed with the assumption of execution on a
`wired medium, and did not envision execution in a wireleSS
`environment. However, in contrast to a wired network, it is
`known that there are changes related to the condition of the
`wireless link (for example, the bandwidth that can be used
`for transmission). To accommodate Such wireless link con
`dition changes, a method (Such as fallback) is employed,
`wherein the wireless transfer speed (or type of modulation to
`be used) is established, for example, when the wireless LAN
`is started up, So as to Start data communication at transfer
`60
`Speed Suited to the wireleSS link condition. For this reason,
`when executing an upper layer protocol Such as AV/C in a
`wireleSS environment, unless the condition of the lower
`layerS is known, a problem can be envisioned Such as when
`a request is made of a lower layer for transfer of content data
`(Such as AV (audiovisual) data) which in reality cannot be
`transferred.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 18
`
`

`

`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`3
`leSS link information with regard to Said terminal device and
`wireleSS link information with regard to the remote com
`municating entity.
`It is preferable that the wireleSS link information acqui
`Sition Section includes
`a remote wireleSS link information requesting Section for
`requesting notification of wireleSS link information
`with regard to the remote communicating entity that the
`remote communicating entity has, at the time of Startup
`by the application Section, and
`a remote wireleSS link information receiving Section for
`receiving wireleSS link information of the remote com
`municating entity, notification of which is made from
`the remote communicating entity.
`It is preferable that the terminal device further has a
`wireleSS link information updating Section for changing
`wireless link information stored in the wireless link infor
`mation Storage Section to a format interpretable by the
`application Section and for passing this wireleSS link infor
`mation to the application Section.
`It is preferable that the wireleSS link Storage information
`Section Store wireleSS link information as information relat
`ing to a constituent element of Said terminal device.
`It is preferable that the SubUnit defined in the AV/C
`Protocol be used as the constituent element.
`It is preferable in the present invention further have a
`wireleSS link monitoring Section for monitoring the condi
`tion of a wireleSS link in the network, for outputting wireleSS
`link information acquired by the monitoring to the wireleSS
`link information acquisition Section. It is possible to use HCI
`as a wireleSS link condition monitoring means.
`It is preferable that the terminal device further has a local
`wireless link information sending Section for Sending wire
`leSS link information of Said terminal device to the remote
`communicating entity, in response to a request from the
`remote communicating entity.
`It is preferable that the terminal device further has a user
`interface Section for, based on wireleSS link information
`Stored in the wireleSS link Information Storage Section,
`providing to a user a list of data candidates for transfer, and
`waiting for input from the user of data Selected from the list.
`It is preferable that the wireless link information includes
`at least one of the packet discard rate, the uSable bandwidth,
`the number of usable channels, the uSable transfer rate, or
`observable information on which these are based.
`It is preferable that the transfer parameter be at least one
`of an AV/C command or content data to be transferred.
`By doing the above, it is possible for an upper application
`to consider, for example, a dynamically varying network
`condition, in making a Selection of a type of operation
`(command) with respect to AV data (content data), and is
`also possible to make Selection of AV data to be accessed
`from a plurality of AV data.
`Another aspect of the present invention is a terminal
`device for transfer of data between communicating entities
`over a network via a wireleSS link, this device having:
`an interface Section for performing Sending and receiving
`of packets with a remote party,
`a link Setting Section for Setting a link for control and for
`data transfer with the remote communicating entity,
`a wireleSS link information acquisition Section for acquir
`ing wireleSS link information indicating the condition
`of a wireleSS link between said terminal device and a
`remote communicating entity in the network at the time
`of Setting the link, and for updating the wireleSS link
`information acquired at the time of Setting the link by
`the current dynamically acquired wireless link
`information,
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`a wireleSS link information Storage Section for Storing the
`above-noted acquired or updated wireless link
`information, and
`a local wireleSS link information notification Section for
`receiving from the remote communicating entity a
`request for the local wireleSS link information of Said
`terminal and for Sending the local wireleSS link infor
`mation to the remote party.
`Another aspect of the present invention is a gateway
`device for controlling transfer of data between a first termi
`nal device on a wired network and a Second terminal device
`on a wireleSS network, this gate device comprising,
`a first interface Section for Sending and receiving packets
`via the wireleSS network,
`a Second interface Section for Sending and receiving
`packets via the wired network,
`a first link Setting Section for Setting a link for control and
`for data transfer with the Second terminal device,
`a Second link Setting Section for Setting a link data transfer
`with the first terminal device,
`a wireleSS link information acquisition Section for acquir
`ing wireleSS link information indicating the condition
`of a wireless link between said terminal device and the
`Second terminal device on the wireleSS network at the
`time of Setting the link, and for updating the wireleSS
`link information acquired at the time of Setting the link
`by the current dynamically acquired wireleSS link
`information,
`a wireleSS link information Storage Section for Storing the
`above-noted acquired or updated wireless link
`information, and
`a network connection processor for, based on wireleSS
`link information stored in the wireless link information
`Storage Section, performing receiving or Sending of
`data between the first terminal device and the Second
`terminal device via the first interface Section and Sec
`ond interface Section.
`This gateway device further has a proxy means which
`uses a device on the wired network, or a Service or Sub-unit
`on Such a device as belonging to Said device, disclosing this
`to the wireless network side. The wireless network is, for
`example, Bluetooth, IEEE Std 802.11 or the like. The wired
`network is, for example, the IEEE 1394 bus.
`It is preferable that this gateway device further comprises
`a local wireleSS link information Sending Section for, in
`response to a request from the first terminal device on the
`wired network or from the second terminal device on the
`wireleSS network, Sending the local terminal wireleSS link
`information to the first terminal device or the Second termi
`nal device, respectively.
`It is preferable that the wireleSS link information acqui
`Sition Section of this gateway device includes
`a remote link information requesting Section for request
`ing notification of remote link information of the first
`terminal device to the first terminal device on the wired
`network, and
`a remote link information receiving Section for receiving
`remote link information, notification of which is made
`by the first terminal device.
`Another aspect of the present invention is a method for
`controlling transfer of data via a wireleSS link with a remote
`communicating entities on a network, this method having
`a step of Setting a link for control with a remote commu
`nicating entity,
`a step of acquiring wireleSS link information indicating
`the condition of a wireless link between said terminal
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 19
`
`

`

`S
`device and a remote communicating entity on the
`network at the time of Setting the link,
`a step of Setting a link for data transfer with the remote
`communicating entity,
`a step of updating wireleSS link information acquired at
`the time of Setting of the link with current dynamically
`acquired wireleSS link information acquired after the
`Setting of the link for data transfer,
`a step of determining whether or not transfer of data is
`possible, based on the updated wireless link
`information, and
`a step of optimizing a parameter for transfer of data with
`the remote communicating entity, in accordance with
`the wireleSS link information in the case in which data
`transfer is possible and performing receiving or Sending
`of data with the remote communicating entity, using the
`optimized parameter for transfer.
`It is preferable in this control method that the wireless link
`information include wireleSS link information with regard to
`Said terminal device and information with regard the remote
`communicating entity.
`It is preferable in this control method that the wireless link
`information updating Step includes a step of requesting
`notification of remote link information of the remote com
`municating entity to the remote communicating entity at the
`25
`time of the Startup by an application, and a step of receiving
`wireleSS link information of the remote communicating
`entity, notification of which is made by the remote commu
`nicating entity.
`Another aspect of the present invention is a method for
`transfer of data via a wireleSS link with a remote commu
`nicating entity on a network, this method having
`a step of Setting a link for control with the remote
`communicating entity,
`a step of acquiring wireleSS link information indicating
`the condition of a wireless link between said terminal
`device and the remote communicating entity on the
`network at the time of Setting the link,
`a step of Setting a link for data transfer with the remote
`communicating entity,
`a step of updating the wireleSS link information acquired
`at the time of Setting of the link with current dynami
`cally acquired wireleSS link information acquired after
`the Setting of the link, and
`a step of receiving a notification request Sent from the
`remote communicating party for Said terminal device
`wireleSS link information of Said terminal device, and
`Sending wireleSS link information of Said terminal
`device to the remote communicating entity in response
`to this request.
`Another aspect of the present invention is a method of
`controlling transfer of data between a first terminal device
`on a wired network and a Second terminal device on a
`wireleSS network, this method having
`a step of Setting a link for control with the Second terminal
`device,
`a step of acquiring, at the time of Setting of the link,
`wireleSS link information indicating the condition of a
`wireless link between said terminal device and the
`Second terminal device on the wireleSS network,
`a step of Setting a link for data transfer with the Second
`terminal device,
`a step of updating the wireleSS link information acquired
`at the time of Setting the link with current dynamically
`acquired wireleSS link information acquired after the
`Setting of the link for data transfer,
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`5
`
`15
`
`6
`a step of Setting a link with the first terminal device, and
`a step of performing receiving or Sending of data between
`the first terminal device and the Second terminal device,
`based on the wireless link information.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of the Specification, illustrate presently
`preferred embodiments of the present invention, and
`together with the general description given above and the
`detailed description of the preferred embodiments given
`below, Serve to explain the principles of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example a home
`use wireleSS AV network System using a terminal device
`according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of a protocol
`Stack within a wireleSS terminal device for the case of
`performing AV data transfer using Bluetooth;
`FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a packet
`transfer processing Sequence between wireleSS terminals in
`the first embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of means for
`holding wireless link condition information using SDP, in a
`wireless terminal in the first embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the
`internal configuration of a wireless terminal in the first
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a drawing showing another example of a
`protocol Stack within a wireleSS terminal according to a
`Second embodiment of the present invention, for the case of
`performing AV data transfer using Bluetooth;
`FIG. 7 is a drawing showing another example of a packet
`transfer processing Sequence between wireleSS terminals in
`the Second embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of a method for
`holding condition information of a wireleSS link using AC/V
`in the Second embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example of the
`internal configuration of a wireleSS terminal in the Second
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an example of a home-use
`AV network System using a gateway device according to a
`third embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a drawing showing an example of a packet
`transfer processing Sequence via the gateway device accord
`ing to the third embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram Showing an example of the
`internal configuration of a gateway device according to the
`third embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a drawing showing another example of a
`home-use wireleSS AV network System using a gateway
`device according to a fourth embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 14 is a drawing showing another example of a packet
`transfer processing Sequence Via a gateway device according
`to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an example of a method for
`holding wireleSS link information using AV/C in a gateway
`device according to the fourth embodiment of the present
`invention; and
`
`IPR2018-01413
`Sony EX1015 Page 20
`
`

`

`US 6,885,643 B1
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`7
`FIG. 16 is a drawing showing another example of the
`internal configuration of a gateway device according to the
`fourth embodiment of the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Preferred embodiments of a wireless termi