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`
`US008879987B l
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Harold
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`*Nov. 4, 2014
`
`(54) SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`USING A WIRELESS DEVICE TO CONTROL
`OTHER DEVICES
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: M ichael D. Harold, Shreveport, LA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Zamboola, L.L.C., Shreveport, LA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. IS4(b) by 105 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a tenninal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/418,829
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 13, 2012
`
`Related U.S . .Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 11/898,912, filed on Sep.
`17, 2007. now Pat. No. 8,135,342.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/844,645, filed on Sep.
`15, 2006.
`
`(SI)
`
`Int.Cl.
`H04B 5100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ..... 455/41.1; 455/4 1.2; 455/41.3; 455/556.l;
`4551557; 358/l.IS
`
`(2006.01)
`
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ................... 455/41.1 , 41.2, 41.3, 557, 556.1;
`35811.JS
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`7/2005 Walters et al. ............... 358/ 1.15
`112011 Jlamadi et al ................ 455141.2
`3/2012 Harold ......................... 455/41. I
`512002 Tomida et al. ............... 3581 l.15
`4/2003 Lamming el al. ............. 709/203
`512006 Ozlulurk et al. ........... 455/67. l.1
`l 1/2006 Dua ............................. 455/41.3
`5/2008 Glinka ......................... 455/41.2
`812008 Wyper et al ................... 375/ 133
`10/2008 Kocienclael al. ............. 345/ 173
`812009 Lundstrom et al ............ 455/574
`
`6.914,695 82.
`7.873,317 82.
`8.135,342 B l •
`2002/0054345 Al•
`2003/006992 l Al •
`2006/0105718 Al•
`2006/0258289 Al"
`2008/0125039 Al•
`2008/0192806 Al•
`2008/0259039 Al•
`2009/0197652 Al•
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner - Sa uh Phu
`(74) Attorney, Agent. or Finn - Raymond Yau Dyke; Yan
`Dyke Law
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system, method aud apparatus which permits the use of a
`wireless cell phone or other communications device as a
`connection, communications and control device able to con(cid:173)
`nect a full -sized desJ...'top monitor or other digital display
`device, keyboard, mouse, speakers, printerandotherexternal
`devices to a wireless cell phone device using any combination
`of wireline or wireless connections from the desktop devices
`to the wireless cell phone device. The wireless cell phone
`device is used to create au Internet or other network COLmec(cid:173)
`tion capable of accessing any browser-based web site or
`browser-based software applicatiou, e.g., via an lntemet con(cid:173)
`nection. Once the connections between the components are
`established with the wireless cell phone device and the Inter(cid:173)
`net counection is established components. Access to Internet
`software, services and media includes all fonus of browser(cid:173)
`based desh.'top software. as well as digital movies. music. and
`streaming video.
`47 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`TCP11P
`NETWORK
`
`(;EU.PH 0Nt
`Nt:.'"'l'WOR.(<.
`
`8R.OWSeR BASED
`APPLICA TtONS At'O
`8~Vl¢ES
`
`w1R..ELBSS c&.L ruo~E oev1ce
`
`DIOM'At
`BASEBAND
`
`fil
`
`CEU. PHO."e: 013SKT'Ofl
`Of'ElATIWC SVSTf,.t.t
`
`PESHPH_!:!R,AI.,,.
`(;0MMUNICATtONS
`HAIU>WARe Af'.'D SOfTWAJHi
`ill!
`'---------'~
`
` Page 1 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 1of9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`13ROWSER DASED
`APPLICATIONS AND
`SERVICES
`
`I LO
`
`W IRELESS CELL PHONE DEVICE
`
`L
`--
`
`DlGITAL
`BASEBAND
`
`! -f . -
`
`C ELL PHONE DESKTOP
`OPERA TING SYSTEM
`
`41 0 I
`
`500
`
`--·-·
`
`rIGURE l
`
`400
`
`I
`
`TCP/ IP
`NETWORK
`200
`
`t
`l
`CELL Pl-IONE
`NETWORK
`300
`
`-
`
`DESKTOP
`DEVICES
`
`DESKTOP
`MONITOR
`
`520 '
`
`DESKTOP
`K EYBOARD
`530
`
`~
`
`DESKTOP
`MOUS E
`
`540 I\
`
`EXTERNA L
`S l' EAK F.RS
`
`560
`
`~ -
`
`DES KTOP
`PRINTER
`580
`
`i..
`
`-
`
`TCP/IP
`S ERVICES
`
`420
`t
`i
`DESKTOP
`BROWSER
`
`440
`
`DEVICE DRIVERS
`460
`
`415
`
`PERIPI lf~RA L
`COMMI JNIC:ATIONS
`HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
`480
`
`LS
`~
`
` Page 2 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 2of9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`DESKTOP
`DEV IC ES
`
`DESKTOP
`MONITOR
`
`520
`
`DESKTOP
`KEYBOARD
`
`DESKTOP
`MOUSE
`
`EXTERNAL
`SPF.AKERS
`
`DES KTOP
`PRINTER
`
`WTRELESS CELL PHONE DEVlCE
`
`PERIPHERAL
`COMMUNlCATIONS
`HARDWARE AND SOFTWAR E
`
`MULTICHANNEL
`W IRELrN E
`CONNECTION
`
`USB 4841
`-
`
`IEEE 1394
`485
`
`482
`
`EXTERNAL
`ENERGY
`SOURCE
`J_Q9
`
`MULT IPORT
`WlREL INE HUB
`
`FIGURE 2A
`
` Page 3 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`DESKTOP
`De VICES
`
`OF.SKTOP
`MONIT01{
`
`520
`
`DESKTOP
`KEYBOARD
`
`DESKTOP
`MOUSE
`
`EXTERNAL
`SPIJAKERS
`
`I
`-
`
`UESKTOP
`PRINTF:R
`
`WIRELESS CELL PHONE DIZVICE
`
`PERIPHERAL
`COMMUNICATIONS
`HARDWARE ANO sovrw ARE
`
`MU l ,' rlCH ANNEI~
`WIRELESS
`CONNECTION
`
`I
`
`\JSB
`
`484
`
`IEEE 1394
`485
`
`ICcE 802.l I
`486
`
`EXTERNAL
`ENERGY
`SOURCE
`104
`
`MULTIPORT
`COMBfNA TION
`W IRELTNP./WIRELESS
`HUB
`
`FIGURE2B
`
` Page 4 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`-------------·------- --- - -- - - - -- --,
`WTRELESS CELL PHONE DEVTCE
`
`WIRELESS
`IJESKTOI'
`OEV!CES
`
`WIRELESS
`DESKTOP
`MONITOR
`52 1
`
`WIRELESS
`DESKTOP
`KEYBOARD
`531
`
`WIRELESS
`DESKTOP
`MOUSE
`
`541
`
`-·w1R"E°1.Ess
`EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS
`561
`
`[
`
`WIR.ELESS
`DESKTOP
`PRINTER
`58 1
`
`PERIP lll ~RAI.
`COMMUNIC/\ TTONS
`HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
`
`MUT.TfCl IANNEI.
`WIRELESS
`CONNECTION
`
`I
`
`USB
`
`484
`
`IEEE IJ94
`485
`
`IF.EE 802. I I
`486
`
`MULTIPORT
`WIRELESS
`PlIYSICAL
`INTEIU.ACE
`
`48.Q
`
`FfGURE 2C
`
`100
`
` Page 5 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 5of 9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`l"CP/IP NETWORK
`
`!
`f
`CELL PHONE NETWORK
`
`200
`
`300
`
`l
`
`t
`
`BROWSER-BASED INTERNET MEDfA
`APPLICATIONS
`
`INTERNET STREAMING MEDIA I
`
`~
`
`I
`
`WIRELESS CP.LL PHONE DEVICE
`
`CELL PHONE DESKTOP
`
`OPERATING SYSTEM H
`
`TCP/IP SERVICES
`420
`t
`l
`DESKTOP
`BROWSER
`
`I
`
`DIGITAL BASEBAND
`
`4 10
`
`PERIPHERAL
`COMMUNICATIONS
`llARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
`
`WINDOW
`MODE
`442
`
`FULL !:>CR.EEN
`WINDOWLESS
`MODE
`443
`
`DEVICE DRIVERS
`460
`
`. --
`
`440
`
`fil
`
`-
`
`MULTICHANNEL
`WJREl,JNE
`CONNECTION
`
`I us~ 484
`
`fEEE 1394
`485
`
`lEEE 802. 11
`486
`
`482
`
`480
`
`400
`
`WfRELESS INTEGRA TF.D
`KEYBOARD AND MOUSE
`
`1-110 11-KE::K>LUTION
`DIGITAL L>ISPLA Y DEVICE
`522
`
`545 7
`
`~
`
`ExrrmNAL
`SPEAKERS 56 1
`
`MUI ,TI PORT COMBINATION
`WIRELfNFJ WlRELESS HUD 105
`t
`
`-
`-
`EXTERNAL
`ENERGY SOURCE
`104
`
`100
`
`FIGURE 3A
`
` Page 6 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 6of9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`TCP/IP NETWORK
`
`i
`!
`CELL PHONE NETWORK
`
`200
`
`300
`
`!
`
`t
`
`BROWSER BASED INTERNET MEDIA
`APPLICATIONS
`
`INTERNET STREAM ING MEDIA
`11 2
`_ill
`
`WIRELESS CELL PHONE DEVICE
`
`CELL PHONE DESKTOP ~ DIGITAL BASEBAND
`
`OPERA TING SYSTEM
`
`410
`
`TCP/IP SERVICES
`420
`i
`!
`DESKTOP
`BROWSER
`
`WINDOW
`MODE
`
`442
`
`FULL SCREEN
`WINDOWLESS
`MODE
`
`443
`
`440
`
`41 5
`
`D F V ICll DrHVI·'.R S
`460
`
`__...,...-
`WIRELESS lNTEGRATED
`Kf,YBOARD AND
`MOUSE
`
`545
`
`PE RIPHERAL
`COMMUNICA'l'lONS
`HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
`
`MUL TlCHANNEL
`WIRELESS
`CONNECTION
`
`I
`484
`
`I USB
`
`IEEE 1394
`485
`
`IEEE 802.1 l
`486
`
`483
`
`!
`
`i
`
`l MULTJPORT WfRELESS
`~ I
`I
`
`P HYSICAL INTERFACE
`~
`
`106 1
`
`480
`
`400
`
`WIRELESS HIGH-
`RESOLUTTON DIGITAL
`DISPLAY DEVICE 522
`
`WIREl~ESS
`EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS 561
`
`lQQ
`
`FIGURE 3B
`
` Page 7 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 7of9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`TCP/IP NETWORK
`
`!
`CELL PHONE NETWORK
`
`t
`
`200
`
`300
`
`!
`
`t
`
`OROWSUR J3ASUD INTERNET MEDTA
`APPLICA TlONS
`
`INTERNET STREAMING MEDIA I
`
`11 2
`
`ill
`
`I
`
`WIRELESS CELL PHONE DEVICE
`
`CELL PHONE DESKTOP ~ DIGIT Ar, BASF:RAND
`l
`i
`t
`LCD
`KEYPAD
`CONTROLLER
`414
`
`OPERA TING SYSTEM
`
`TCP/IP SERVICES
`420
`
`t
`
`!
`DESKTOP
`BROWSER
`
`WINDOW
`MODE
`
`442
`
`FULL SCREEN
`WfNlJOWLESS
`MODE
`443
`.... -.. -~ - ·--··-
`440
`
`DEVICE ORlVERS
`460
`
`415
`
`HIGH-RESOLUTION
`D!GfTAL DISPLAY DEVICE
`522
`
`EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS
`
`561
`
`410
`
`412
`
`!
`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
`416
`
`PERIPHERAL
`COMMUNICATIONS
`HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
`
`MULTICHANNEL
`W IRELESS
`CONNECTION
`483
`
`480
`
`400
`·---
`
`MUL TrPORT COMBlNATlON
`WIREUNE/WIR.ELESS HUD 105
`
`t
`
`nxn.~RNAL
`ENERGY SOURCE
`104
`
`100
`
`FIGURE 3C
`
` Page 8 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 201 4
`
`Sheet 8of 9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`TCP/ IP NETWORK
`
`t
`!
`CELL PHONE NETWORK
`
`200
`
`300
`
`1 t
`
`AROWSER BASED INTERNET MEDIA
`APPLlCATlONS
`
`INTERNET STREAMING MEDIA
`112
`
`ill
`
`WfRELESS CELL PHONE DEVICE
`
`CELL PHONR DESKTOP
`OPERA TING SYSTEM
`
`TCP/ IP SERVICES
`420
`!
`l
`DESKTOP
`BROWSER
`
`WINDOW
`MODE
`
`442
`
`FULL SCREEN
`WfNDOWLESS
`MODE
`443
`
`~
`DEVICE DIUVERS
`460
`
`440
`
`415
`
`I
`
`I
`
`DIGITAL BASEBAND
`
`4 10
`
`f
`KEYPAD
`
`412
`
`t
`l
`LCD
`CONTROLLER
`414
`
`l
`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
`4_16
`
`·-
`PERIPHERAL
`COMMUNICATlONS
`llARDWJ\llli A."'ID SOFTWARE
`
`483
`
`MULTICHANNEL
`W IRELESS
`CONNECTION
`t
`1
`i'VflJL T IPORT WIRELESS
`PHYSICAl, INTERFACE l 06
`,
`--
`
`I
`
`/
`
`480
`
`400
`
`WIRELESS
`HIGH-RESOLUTION
`DIGITAL DIS PLAY DEVICE
`522
`
`WllillLcSS
`EXTERNAL
`SPEAKERS
`561
`
`100
`
`FLGURE 3D
`
` Page 9 of 20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 4, 2014
`
`Sheet 9of9
`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`0
`0
`('...
`
`,....
`0 ,....
`
`0
`0 ,....
`
`C\J
`0
`LO
`
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`0
`<D
`
` Page 10 of 20
`
`

`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`1
`SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`USING A WIRELESS DEVICE TO CONTROL
`OTHER DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`Although a number of companies, including Texas Instru(cid:173)
`ments and Siemens, currently ofter nidimentary products that
`allow a cell phone to project images, presentations and mov(cid:173)
`ies onto a wall or other nearby surface, Applicant is unaware
`5 of any product that allows a cell phone to transmit browser(cid:173)
`based content to a nearby fi.111-sizedigital display device, such
`as a computer monitor, or otherwise leverage the capabilities
`of the cell phone or other communications device in this
`matter.
`Jn all cases where wireless cell phone devices are ust-x:I to
`send and receive data, the user is confined to U1e use of the cell
`phone itself as a handheld computing device. None of the
`current methodologies for using a wireless cell phone device
`as a computer take into account the need or desire to have a
`15 full-size computer monitor or other foll-size digital display
`device as a visual output device, as well as a full-size key(cid:173)
`board and full -size mouse device as user-operated input
`devices for manipulating data or issuing commands remotely
`through U1e handJ1eld communications device. Specifically,
`20 the prior ru·t fa ils to demonstrate any system, method or appa(cid:173)
`ratus that disengages wireless cell phone and other commu(cid:173)
`nications device users from the ergonomic constraints of the
`small, low-resolution displays presently associated wit11
`handheld computing devices, and the small, portable keypad
`25 and control key input devices presently associatl-xl with hand(cid:173)
`held computing devices.
`Furthermore, the prior art also fails to demonstrate any
`system, method or apparan1s, whereby a wireless cell phone
`device may be used in place of a traditional computer, i.e.,
`30 treat a wireless cell phone or other commtulications device as
`a thin client. In this instance, the thin client has only a TCP/IP
`software interface, browser software capable of supporting a
`high-resolution desktop monitor, the software device drivers
`necessary to allow desktop computer-based I ntemet software
`35 applications and services to communicate directly with the
`desktop monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and printer
`devices, and the peripheral communications hardware and
`software necessary to establish physical communications
`with the desktop monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and
`40 printer devices. In other words. tllis paradigm removes any
`requirements for the disk drives and other high-capacity stor(cid:173)
`age mechanisms nom1ally associated with desktop comput-
`ers.
`Furthermore, the prior art fai ls to demonstrate any system,
`method or apparatus that allows wireless cell phone users to
`access forms of digital media, including movies, music, and
`streaming video over the lnternet or other network, and lo
`display and otherwise transmit that media tlu·ougb the cell
`phone to full-size audio and video devices, such as desk.'top
`computer monitors. digital display screens and speaker sys(cid:173)
`tems directly or indirectly attached to the wireless cell phone
`device.
`There is, therefore, a present need to provide an improved
`paradigm for using a wireless cell phone or other such com(cid:173)
`munications device as a central component of a desktop or
`other such computing environment. For example, in the desk(cid:173)
`top environment this includes a desktop computer monitor or
`other full-size digital display device used as a visual output
`device, and a full-size desk.'top keyboard and mouse as a user
`input device, thereby allowing the wireless device user to
`overcome the aforementioned ergononiic and other con(cid:173)
`straints of existing handheld wireless devices, and better
`exploit the enhancements of the new wireless and other tech(cid:173)
`nologies offered, particularly as Web 3.0 concepts are
`enabled.
`There is a further need to provide an improved paradigm
`for using a wireless cell phone or other communications
`
`1his application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 11/898,912, filed Sep. 17, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.
`8,135,342, which, in 111rn, claims priority to U.S. Provisional 10
`Application Ser. No. 60/844,645. filed Sep. 15, 2006, tbe
`entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by refer(cid:173)
`ence.
`1his application is also related to U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 11/889,941 , filed Aug. 17, 2007. the entire contents
`of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`Tue present invention relates generally to methods for
`using a wireless cell phone or othercomunmicat ions device in
`combination wiU1 a desktop computer monitor, keyboard and
`mouse to create a desktop computing environmeut. ln par(cid:173)
`ticular, the invention relates to a system, method and appara(cid:173)
`tus in which the user of a wireless cell phone device estab(cid:173)
`lishes a direct connection with a desktop computer monitor,
`keyboard, mouse or other component using any combination
`of wireline connections and wireless connections. The
`present invention also relates to techniques for leveraging the
`use of a handheld communication device to other devices.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`01anges in the use and tecllllological capabilities of wire(cid:173)
`less cell phone and other communications devices. e.g.,
`Blackberry and Palm devices, have Jed to the rapid adoption
`ofhandheld cell phone devices as personal communications
`tools capable of supporting voice mail, email, calendars, con(cid:173)
`tact lists and related applications. Handheld wireless devices
`are also commonly used to store and access music, videos and
`other forms of electronic entertainment and media. Tue
`increasing availability oflntemet services and applications,
`particularly those that store a user's data in a computer server,
`data center orotl1er location on the network independently of
`the user's handheld or desktop computer. and make that data 45
`available to other Internet or network-hosted services and
`applications, have given end-users the ability to access and
`store their important data, doctu11ents and applications on the
`Internet, e.g., using a browser in combination with their desk(cid:173)
`top computer hardware and software. With further techno- 50
`logical advances, the traditional personal computer will be
`eclipsed by this on-going "off-shelving" process of moving
`data to more remote resources dedicated for this purpose.
`Software applications, such as word processors, spread(cid:173)
`sheets and database applications. generally require the use of 55
`a traditional des1..1op computer having a CPU, large amounts
`of random access memory, and one or more disk drives.
`Software appl icatious and services available over the Inter(cid:173)
`net, however, no longer require a high-performance CPU,
`large amounts of random access memory, a desktop computer 60
`disk drive or a traditional desktop computer operating system
`for their operation. What these Internet software applications
`and services do require to operate effectively is a sufficiently
`high bandwidth Internet or other network connection, a suf·
`ficiently capable browser, and standard desk.'top input and 65
`output devices, such as a digital display screen, keyboard and
`mouse, printer, and a speaker or a speaker system.
`
` Page 11 of 20
`
`

`
`US 8,879,987 Bl
`
`3
`device as a central component of a desktop or other such
`computing environment that includes, in addition to a desktop
`computer monitor and a desktop keyboard and mouse. the use
`of desk'top speakers and a desktop printer.
`SUMMARY OF nm INVENTION
`
`5
`
`4
`1t is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`iniproved system, method and apparatus, whereby a wireless
`cell phone device may be used to control output to an external
`speaker or a speaker system, a printer or other components
`through the use of software and hardware contained in the
`wireless eel l phone device.
`1t is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparatus, whereby a wireless
`cell phone or other communications device wilJ use an Inter-
`10 net connection to access software programs and software
`services whose user interfaces can be displayed through a
`desktop computer monitor or other digital display device
`connected to the wireless cell phone device.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparatus, whereby a wireless
`cell phone device will combine the fonctions of an Internet
`access and conununication device with those of a co1u1ection,
`conummications and conlrolling device for a desktop moni-
`20 tor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and printer.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparan1s, whereby a wireless
`cell phone device will, while under the control of an inte(cid:173)
`grated wireless keyboard and mouse attached lo the wireless
`25 cell phone device, provide Internet or other network access to
`various forms of digital streaming media including movies,
`music and video and to display and or otherwise transmit that
`media through the wireless cell phone device to full-size,
`high-resolution digital display devices and speakers or a
`30 speaker system.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparatus, whereby a wireless
`cell phone device can. while simultaneously providing lllter(cid:173)
`net or other network access to various forms of digital stream-
`35 ing media, including movies, music and video and displaying
`and or otherwise transmitting that media through the wireless
`cell phone device to foll-size. high-resolution digital display
`devices aud speakers or a speaker system. also be ust-'Cl as a
`hand.held controller device lo select and play said media.
`
`In contrast to the traditional model of wireless cell phone
`usage, the present invention involves a system, method and
`appamtus that permits the use of a wireless cell phone or other
`such couummications device as a connection, conummica(cid:173)
`tions and control device able to connect a full-sized desktop
`monitor or other digital display device, keyboard, mouse,
`speakers, printer and other components to a wireless cell
`phoue device, using any combinatiou of wireline or wireless 15
`connections from the desktop devices to the wireless cell
`phone device. The wireless cell phone device of the present
`invention is used to create an Internet or other network con(cid:173)
`nection capable of accessing any browser-based web site or
`browser-based software application commonly accessible to
`a standard desk'top computer having an Internet connection.
`Once the connections between the desktop monitor. key(cid:173)
`board, mouse, speakers, printer and/or other components are
`established with the wireless cell phone device, and the Inter(cid:173)
`net cow1ection is established with the wireless cell phone
`device, the user may access any browser-based web site or
`software application using the desktop monitor. keyboard,
`mouse, speakers and printer. Access to Internet software,
`services and media includes all forms of browser-based desk(cid:173)
`top software. as well as digital movies. music, and streaming
`video.
`It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to
`provide ru1 improved paradigm for the use of a wireless cell
`phone or other such conummicatious device as a connection,
`communications and controlling device for desktop devices,
`including a digital display monitor, keyboard and mouse,
`where these desk'top devices are used to access and operate
`desktop browser-based software applications and software
`services available over the Internet.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide an 40
`improved system, method and apparatus for the use of a
`wireless cell phone device as a connection, communications
`and controlling device for additional desktop devices, includ(cid:173)
`ing, bul not limited to, a desktop printer a11d a desktop speaker
`or speaker system. where these devices are used in conjunc- 45
`tion with desk'top browser-based software applications and
`software services available over the Internet.
`[I is another object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparatus for a wireless cell
`phone device user to connect a desk'top monitor, keyboard, 50
`mouse, printer and/or other components to a wireless cell
`phone device using any combination of wireline or wireless
`co1111ections.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparatus for a wireless cell 55
`phone device user to specify the devices to which the wireless
`cell phone will connect using any combination of hardware
`co1111ection devices contai11ed in the wireless cell phone
`device and software connectivity options contained within
`the wireless cell phone device.
`II is a fi.1rther object of the present invention to provide an
`improved system, method and apparatus, whereby a wireless
`cell phone device may be used to control the display of
`content on the desktop computer monitor through the use of
`browser software designed to display visual output on full- 65
`sized digital display devices, such as a desktop computer
`monitor or consumer display devices, e.g., television.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete understanding of the improved system,
`method and apparatus of the present invention may be
`obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description
`when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings
`wherein:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Internet-based desktop
`computing environment using a wireless cell phone or other
`communications device in accordance with the principles of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2A illustrates another exemplary lnternel-based desk-
`top computing environment using a wireless cell phone
`device, in which various peripheral devices, including a desk(cid:173)
`top computer monitor, keyboard. mouse. speakers, printer
`and other external components, may be made to conuuunicate
`with the wireless cell phone device using multiple wireline
`connections;
`FIG. 28 illustrates a further exemplary Internet-based
`60 desktop computing environment using a wireless cell phone
`device in which various peripheral devices, including a desk(cid:173)
`top computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer
`and other external components, may be made to communicate
`with the wireless cell phone device using a wireless connec(cid:173)
`tion with the wireless cell phone device and any combination
`ofwireline and wireless conuections witb the various periph-
`eml devices;
`
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`5
`FlG. 2C illustrates another exemplary Internet-based desk(cid:173)
`top computing envirolltl1ent using a wireless cell phone
`device, in which various wireless peripheral devices, includ(cid:173)
`ing a desktop computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers,
`printer and other external components, may be made to com- 5
`municate with the wireless cell phoue device using a wireless
`counection with the wireless cell phoue device aud wireless
`co0J1ectious with the various peripheral devices;
`FIG. 3A illustrates another exemplary Internet-based desk(cid:173)
`top computing environment using a wireless cell phone 10
`device, in which high-resolution. high baudwidtl1 digital
`media including movies, music and streru:niug video may be
`transmitted through the wireless cell phone device to fi.111-size
`audio and digital display devices, a speaker or a speaker 15
`system, and other external components attached to the wire(cid:173)
`less cell phone device through a combination of wireline and
`wireless co1u1ectious;
`FlG. 38 illustrates a further exemplary Internet-based
`desktop cornputiug environment using a wireless cell phone 20
`device, in which high-resolution, high bandwidth digital
`media, including movies, music and streat:ning video, may be
`trausmitted through the wireless cell phone device to full-size
`audio and digital display devices, a speaker or a speaker
`system, and other external components attached to the wire- 25
`less cell phone device through a multiport wireless physical
`interface contained within the wireless cell phone device;
`FlG. 3C illustrates another exemplary hiternet-based desk(cid:173)
`top computing enviro1unenr using a wireless cell phone
`device, in which high-resolution, high bandwidth digital 30
`media. including movies, music and streat:ning video, may be
`transmitted through the wireless cell phone device to foll -size
`audio and digital display devices, a speaker or a speaker
`system, and other external components attached to the wire(cid:173)
`less cell pboue device through a combination ofwircliueand 35
`wireless co0J1ectious, while at the same time the wireless cell
`phone device is used to select and play said media;
`FlG. 30 illustrates a fi.1.rther exemplary Internet-based
`desktop co1:nputing environment using a wireless cell phone
`or other colUJlluuications device, in which high-resolution, 40
`high bandwidth digital media. including movies, music and
`streat:ning video, may be transmitted through the wireless cell
`phoue device to full-size wireless audio aud digital display
`devices, a speaker or a speaker system, and other external
`components attached to the wireless cell phone device 45
`through a multiport wireless physical interface contained
`within the wireless cell phone device, while at the same time
`the wireless cell phone device is used to select and play said
`media; and
`FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the present 50
`invention.
`
`DETAJLED DESCRlPTION OF THE JNVENTJON
`
`Tue following detailed description is presented to enable
`auy person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For
`purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to
`provide a thorough understanding of the present inveutiou.
`However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these
`specific details are not necessarily required to practice the
`invention, and descriptions of specific applications are pro(cid:173)
`vided only as represeutative examples. Various modifications
`to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one
`skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein
`may be applied to other embodiments ru1d applications with(cid:173)
`out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
`present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodi-
`
`6
`ments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope
`consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
`Tue present invention relates generally to improved meth(cid:173)
`ods for using a wireless cell phone or other communications
`device in combination with a desktop computer monitor, a
`desktop priuter and desktop speakers as output devices, and a
`desktop computer keyboard and desktop mouse as input
`devices to create a desktop computing environment. In par(cid:173)
`ticular, the invention relates to a method and system in which
`the user of a wireless cell phone device establishes a direct
`connection wiLh a desktop computer monitor or other form of
`full-sized, high-resolution digital display device, a desk'top
`keyboard and mouse, a desktop printer and a desktop speaker
`or speaker system using any combination of one or more
`wireline connections and one or more wireless connections
`set forth in more detail herein below and shown in the exem(cid:173)
`plary figures.
`By enabling tbe wireless cell phone device to transmit
`visual output to the computer monitor, receive data input frorn
`the keyboard and mouse device, print output on the printer,
`and transmit sound to the speaker or speaker system, the
`wireless cell phone device can be made to operate as a tradi(cid:173)
`tional desktop computing enviromnent, i.e., one having a
`full-sized computer screen, keyboard. mouse, printer and
`speakers. Applications normally associated with a desk'top
`computing envirolltl1ent include, but are not limited to, word
`processing, spreadsheets ru1d database applications, and may
`be accessed over the Internet or otl1er network as browser-
`enabled software applications or software services.
`User inputs to these various applicatious and services can
`be made using the desktop keyboard and mouse connected to
`the cell pboue device. Digital display infonnatiou, such as
`provided by the network applications or software services,
`will be transmitted to the desk.'top computer monitor by the
`cell phone device. Audio, such as provided by the software
`applications and software services, is transmitted through the
`cell pboue device to au external speaker or speaker system.
`Printable output, such as provided by the software applica(cid:173)
`tions and software services. is transmitted through the cell
`phone device to the printer. Other forms of media, including
`movies, music and streaming video, may likewise be
`accessed over the lnternet using the desktop computing envi(cid:173)
`romuent, and transmitted to an attached digital display screen
`and speakers. All of these trausmissious may be made through
`the wireless cell phone device's browser interface, which may
`be made to display information in a traditional browser win(cid:173)
`dow for interacting with Internet prog.rams and services or in
`a full-screen windowless mode for viewing movies and other
`forms of streaming media. as is understood in the art.
`With reference now to FJG. 1 of the Drawings, there is
`illustrated therein a first embodiment for practicing the prin(cid:173)
`ciples of the present invention, which operates witl1in a dis(cid:173)
`tributed communications network, generally designated by
`55 the reference numeral 100. As shown in the figure, a wireless
`cell phone or other communications device 400 is connected
`to one or more desktop devices 500, including but not limited
`to a desktop monitor 520, a desktop keyboard 530, a desktop
`mouse 540, an external speaker or a speaker system 560, and
`60 a desk.'top printer 580. through one or more wireline or wire(cid:173)
`less corn1ections with the wireless cell phone device's 400
`peripheral communications hardware and software, generally
`designated by the reference numeral 480. The wireless cell
`phone device 400 also uses a cell phone network 300 to access
`65 a TCP/IP network 200 that. in turn, provides access to one or
`more browser-based applications and or services 110 over the
`wireless cell phone device's 400 digital baseband 410.
`
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`5
`
`7
`TI1e wireless cell phone device 400 also has a cell phone
`desk'top operating system, generally designated by the refer(cid:173)
`ence numeral 415, including TCP/IP services 420, desktop
`browser software 440 and device drivers 460. As shown in
`FIG. l , the userofthe cell phone device 400 uses the desk1op
`browser soflware 440 in conjunction with the TCP/IP ser(cid:173)
`vices 420 to send messages and data to, and receive messages
`and data from the browser-based applications and or services
`110 via the digital baseband 41 O. Messages aud data received
`from the browser-based applications and services 110 are
`com1mu1icated