I lllll llllllll II llllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20050091359Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Soin et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0091359 Al
`Apr. 28, 2005
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
`PROJECTING CONTENT FROM
`COMPUTING DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Ravipal S. Soin, Sammamish, WA
`(US); William Mak, Seattle, WA (US);
`Andrew J. Fuller, Redmond, WA (US);
`Todd R. Manion, Redmond, WA (US);
`Ronald 0. Zink, Mercer Island, WA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
`ONE LIBERTY PLACE - 46TH FLOOR
`PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/786,833
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb.25,2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/514,338, filed on Oct.
`24, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... G06F 15/173
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 709/223
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Systems and methods are provided hat enable an alternate
`display device to wirelessly receive content from a comput(cid:173)
`ing device, freeing users from the burden of physically
`connecting the computing device via a cable. The content
`sent to the display device can also be simultaneously or
`separately viewed on the computing devices of other nearby
`computing devices. Generic mechanism(s) and correspond(cid:173)
`ing user interfaces are provided for computing devices to
`engage in discovery of devices to which content may be
`delivered, for accepting delivery and for initiating transmis(cid:173)
`sion of content.
`
`Discover
`Device(s)
`
`Download
`Service
`Document(s)
`
`Generate Ticket
`
`Send Ticket
`
`Set up
`Connection
`
`Pass Ticket to
`Remote
`Assistance Layer
`
`Decode Ticket
`
`Establish
`Connection
`
`:. ................................................... ;
`
`Screen Rendered
`
`Page 1 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`RoomR
`
`}
`
`11111111
`
`CCC
`Projector P
`
`---
`l
`r - - -
`I
`Control
`1 ~-~
`I Device D 1 ir.- · · 1i. ·.
`- - - - - , .'i
`•
`---- -- ----·
`
`D
`
`Mobile Device MCA
`
`FIG. 1 - Prior Art
`
`Page 2 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 2 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`110b
`
`Computing
`Device
`110a
`
`Object
`110d
`
`Pc~
`
`Object
`110c
`
`'
`
`(,/
`
`~
`
`Computing
`Device
`110e
`
`10b
`
`•• c c c c c •
`c::::ic C IC (CC
`
`---'
`
`Computing Device
`
`14
`
`Communications
`Network/Bus
`
`-------------~0-111 D
`
`10a
`
`Server Object
`
`Server Object
`
`Database 20
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`Page 3 of 36
`
`

`
`Computing Environment 100
`I
`--;Y~;e-~ ~;;~;--1-3~ ------------
`------------------------------!
`--
`I
`.m.I
`1ROM) ill
`BIOS
`(RAM) 132
`Operating
`Svstem 134
`
`b
`0
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`
`Monitor 191
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`
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`f
`
`171
`
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`....__ __ _
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`COMPUTEH
`1ao.
`
`J
`
`Processing
`Unit
`
`12.Q
`
`Graphics
`Interface m
`
`Video
`Interface
`100
`
`1
`
`Peripheral
`Interface .1a5
`
`Application
`Programs 1.3.2j
`
`Other Program
`Modules 136
`
`Program
`Data 137
`
`System Bus 121
`
`Non-Removable
`Non-Volatile
`Memory
`Interface 140
`
`Removable
`Non-Volatile
`Memory
`lnte~ace lfil>_I
`
`User Input
`Interface
`.1.§Q
`
`Network
`Interface
`11Q
`
`-- - -~-~-~~-~::;;'~~ - - - - - - - - -''\~:-
`
`151
`
`OPERATING APPLICATION
`SYSTEM
`PROGRAMS
`144
`145
`
`OTHER
`PROGRAM
`MODS.146
`
`PROGRAM
`DATA
`147
`
`FIG. 28
`
`Modem
`
`173
`
`Pointing Keyboard 162
`Device
`161
`
`REMOTE
`APPLICATION
`PROGRAMS ill
`
`Page 4 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 4 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`- - - - --~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,
`
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`Page 5 of 36
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`Instantiate
`Functionality
`
`Select or Set
`Presentation
`Mode
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Project?
`
`End
`
`yes fil
`
`Enter Discovery
`State
`
`Present UI with
`List of Available
`Displays
`
`Select
`Display(s) from
`UI list
`
`Page 6 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 6 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`j~
`
`j~
`
`.,
`Sender Service SS I
`,,
`,,
`
`n
`
`,,
`
`H
`
`RA1
`
`TS1
`
`Host/Device
`Finder F
`
`I
`
`OS1
`
`I
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`Device Service OS I
`
`j~
`
`1r
`
`RA2
`
`TS2
`
`H
`
`,,
`
`Device Host
`H
`
`052
`
`FIG. 48
`
`Page 7 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 7 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Setup
`Connection
`
`L/
`
`Discover
`Device(s)
`
`.illl
`Download
`Service
`Document(s)
`........................ ..........................
`..... ,
`, ,
`520
`
`.
`
`Generate Ticket
`i ~
`.
`Send Ticket
`
`MO.
`Pass Ticket to
`Remote
`Assistance Layer
`
`i
`
`.§fil2
`
`Decode Ticket
`
`560
`
`Establish
`Connection
`.
`............................ ...............................
`, ,
`570
`
`--~
`
`Screen Rendered
`
`Page 8 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`Connect to
`Device
`
`Receive Token
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Disconnect
`
`Black Out
`Connection
`
`Change/
`Retrieve
`Settings
`
`Transfer
`Ownership
`
`Page 9 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`<ii Gw prnentadon E1 .. Y.iri
`0 Vitw prnentltlon _il~~
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`
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`FIG. 78
`
`Page 10 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 10 of 15
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`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`• \Aiv:·'..~•J • !'J~-V.:C'
`
`~ :c
`
`ii t ..... v><.Ji':IU
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`
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`l!'!h .. 't'.t.:':~; tCer.r il!"l .!300 PJ
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`
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`0 Mitton TfiJsford (mtttdl448)
`I
`Q Hesh Rabklnd (htshr-deHPC)
`i IJ Thonuoo Gen ... (tommyboyl)
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`FIG. 7C
`
`Q Edendtftodt f!.::.ai.:1
`Q M\rTof modt>
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`ii l
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`
`FIG. 70
`
`Page 11 of 36
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`N .. uiw Re-lob.rtiofi: SVGA lSOO c 6001 (80 KzJ
`Cokm: millions cd cotoR ·
`Aspc!'ctfiltio:.a·]
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`. 0 Johnny S•ck (johnnys.PQ)
`i 0 Moton To<kfonf (ml~lJ4.UI
`i 0 Hfth R•bldnd (heshr-de!IPC)
`j 0 Silvio Di1n1e (dtworkPCJJ
`l 0 Th°""so G ...... (tommyboyll
`
`FIG. 7E
`
`FIG. 7F
`
`Page 12 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`f•2.!i"
`@ v-,:nwni.tia:n
`Q Dant;l11rdcip.u: J.:illLQ
`
`FIG. 7G
`
`FIG. 7H
`
`Page 13 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`(800
`
`Agenda
`
`------ 810
`
`/,,-----
`, , , ,
`•
`• Introduction
`• Current status
`• Options for consideration
`• Next Steps
`
`FIG. SA
`
`Page 14 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`A~.9;~8-io W?v<-!Y
`/ ' 810
`~l'ff'~./o .k. ~llt'J ·
`• Introduction ../
`Ltl ~(hf
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`i..k... t:tvc- 10'"'" ,ft> ~ ·
`• Current status
`" ~s, f r.Jo.l-
`• Options for consideration
`µ.. p~ 1r> d, o~ ~
`• Next ~teps
`
`,fuJ(i)(,11~ I& r·
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`·- .. ____ 830
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`
`Page 15 of 36
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 28, 2005 Sheet 15 of 15
`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
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`(800
`
`Agenda
`
`/---- 810
`
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`
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`• Introduction
`• Current status
`
`I
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`\,____________ 850
`
`FIG. SC
`
`Page 16 of 36
`
`

`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`1
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROJECTING
`CONTENT FROM COMPUTING DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi(cid:173)
`sional Application No.
`60/514,338
`(MSFT-2843/
`300525.01), filed Oct. 24, 2003, entitled "Systems and
`Methods for Projecting Content from Computing Devices."
`This application is related to commonly assigned copending
`U.S. patent
`application No.
`(MSFT-3501/
`300585.03), filed Feb. 25, 2004, entitled "Systems and
`Methods for Projecting Content from Computing Devices,"
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/179,431, filed Jun. 25,
`2002, entitled "Data Projection System and Method," and
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/692,384, filed Oct. 23,
`2003, entitled "One to Many Data Projection System and
`Method."
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND PERMISSION
`
`[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document
`may contain material that is subject to copyright protection.
`The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
`reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
`disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
`patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright
`rights whatsoever. The following notice shall apply to this
`document: Copyright© 2003, Microsoft Corp.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] This invention relates to systems, methods and user
`interfaces for enabling wireless projection of content from a
`computing device to an alternate display, such as a projector.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0004] Personal computers and portable/mobile comput(cid:173)
`ing devices, such as laptop computers, Tablet computers,
`notebook computers, sub-notebook computers and handheld
`computing devices, etc., as well as other present and future
`variants of portable/mobile computing devices, are some(cid:173)
`times used to transmit content to a third party device for
`manipulation or rendering. Such portable or mobile com(cid:173)
`puting devices will be referred to herein simply as "mobile
`computing devices" or "mobile devices" without limitation.
`For instance, mobile devices can be used in situations, such
`as meetings, to display a presentation on a display, such as
`a large format display surface, e.g., projector or monitor, in
`the meeting environment. Currently, when such a situation
`arises, users making presentations using a mobile computer
`physically connect the portable/mobile computer via a cable
`to the projector or to an intermediate electronic system that
`controls the projector. However, laptop users wanting to
`present in a conference room must sit close to the projector
`control and swap VGA, and possibly also audio cables to
`present. The cord is typically not long enough and causes a
`musical chairs effect between every presentation as people
`move around to get the right person close enough to plug in
`their laptop. A user may then have to adjust screen resolution
`and/or audio settings each time a new presenter takes control
`of the projector display. In addition, users ideally want to
`project their display not just to the conference room projec(cid:173)
`tor but also to the laptops of various attendees in the meeting
`room.
`
`[0005] The need to physically connect a cable, however, is
`undesirable for a variety of reasons. First, it requires a user
`with the mobile computing device to know that the mobile
`computing device can connect and also how to connect the
`mobile computing device, i.e., to know that their mobile
`computing device includes a connector or port for receiving
`the projector cable, and that such a connection plus some
`combination of obscure keystrokes (e.g., function key plus
`F5 key) switches the output of the portable or mobile
`computing device from the ordinary display of the mobile
`computing device to the port. Secondly, anytime one or more
`physical steps are introduced in a computing process, the
`time it takes to complete the process increases. For instance,
`a user must bring the mobile device to the cable, connect the
`cable, and secure the connection so that disconnection does
`not happen easily. Moreover, to the extent that male and
`female connector components are physical components,
`they are subject to abuse, and ordinary wear and tear. For
`instance, often the pins of a connector can become bent,
`damaged, metal fatigued, etc. in which case the connector
`components, either male or female, may no longer function
`properly.
`
`[0006]
`In addition, the content/data that is ultimately sent
`to the projector cannot be simultaneously viewed on the
`computers of meeting attendees. While wireless technology
`is rapidly gathering momentum in the marketplace, cur(cid:173)
`rently, there is no generic mechanism for receiving wireless
`data by a display, such as a projector. Moreover, there is no
`generic mechanism for a mobile device to wirelessly trans(cid:173)
`mit content to a display, such as a projector. Still further,
`there is no generic mechanism for third party computing
`devices to receive content.
`
`[0007] Accordingly, there is a need in the art to add
`wireless technology to projectors to allow easy access for
`mobile users, enabling the ability to bring together a plu(cid:173)
`rality of mobile users into the same room for collaborative
`meetings and providing a seamless connection where a
`wired solution is not practical. Furthermore, there is a need
`in the art to remove issues associated with cabling, making
`projectors easier to install and tidier, without signal degra(cid:173)
`dation over longer distances. Moreover, there is a need in the
`art to switch between multiple mobile device sources, for
`example, if multiple people are presenting from their mobile
`devices. It would be still further desirable to provide a
`mechanism and corresponding user interface to allow users
`to find available wireless projectors or other computers,
`change or enable settings and connect specified content to
`them. Similarly, on the receiving side, it would be desirable
`to include a mechanism and corresponding user interface for
`users of other computers to accept "projected" content/data
`from a source mobile computer.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008]
`In consideration of the above-identified shortcom(cid:173)
`ings of the art, the present invention provides systems and
`methods that enable an alternate display device to wirelessly
`receive content from a computing device, freeing users from
`the burden of physically connecting the computing device
`via a cable. In another aspect, the content capable of being
`sent to the display device can also be simultaneously or
`separately viewed on the computing devices of other nearby
`computing devices. In various embodiments, the invention
`includes generic mechanism(s) and corresponding user
`
`Page 17 of 36
`
`

`
`US 2005/0091359 Al
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`2
`
`interfaces for computing devices to engage in discovery of
`devices to which content may be delivered, for accepting
`delivery of the content where appropriate and for initiating
`transmission of content.
`
`[0009] Other advantages and features of the invention are
`described below.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] The systems and methods for wirelessly projecting
`content in accordance with the present invention are further
`described with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which:
`[0011] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating
`a typical prior art scenario;
`[0012] FIG. 2A is a block diagram representing an exem(cid:173)
`plary network environment having a variety of computing
`devices in which the present invention may be implemented;
`[0013] FIGS. 2B and 2C are block diagrams representing
`exemplary non-limiting computing devices in which the
`present invention may be implemented;
`[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary sequence for
`launching a wireless projection application in accordance
`with the invention;
`[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary archi(cid:173)
`tecture utilized in connection with the present invention;
`[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram relat(cid:173)
`ing to the process for connecting to an alternate display
`device;
`[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram relat(cid:173)
`ing to the process for controlling an alternate display device;
`
`[0018] FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate exemplary non-limiting
`screenshots of various user interface scenarios in accordance
`with the invention; and
`[0019] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate exemplary non-limiting
`screenshots of various scenarios illustrating a distinction
`between public and private content in accordance with the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0020] Overview
`
`[0021] The invention is directed to systems and methods
`that enable a display device, such as a projector or large
`display monitor, to wirelessly receive content from a com(cid:173)
`puting device, freeing users from the burden of physically
`connecting the computing device via a cable. In another
`aspect, the content capable of being sent to the display
`device can also be simultaneously or separately viewed on
`the computing devices of other nearby computing devices.
`In various embodiments, a projector is provided with wire(cid:173)
`less functionality, allowing computing devices to wirelessly
`transmit content in turn to the projector, e.g., useful for
`collaborative meetings and conference presentations. Since
`cabling issues are removed, the projector is easier to install,
`there is no content degradation over significant distances and
`switching between multiple computing device sources is
`facilitated. Accordingly, content presenters can be more
`mobile within the signaling capabilities of wireless tech-
`
`nologies, without being tied to physical locations such as
`"near the projector" or "near a wall socket."
`
`[0022] Definitions
`
`[0023] The following definitions should be considered an
`aid in considering one or more terms utilized herein, but not
`intended to limit the broader meanings of any of the terms
`as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
`
`[0024] Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): Wi-Fi technology pro(cid:173)
`vides networking using radio technology. Wi-Fi networks
`operate in the unlicensed 2.4 to 5 GHz radio bands, which
`has the capacity to transfers data at 11 Mbps, but typically
`delivers 7 Mbps of real data throughput. This provides
`performance similar to the basic 10 Base-T wired Ethernet
`networks used in many offices. Alternate display devices in
`accordance with the invention include, but are not limited, to
`Wi-Fi 802.llb. technology, currently the most common
`form of wireless communication in the projector and com(cid:173)
`puter industry.
`
`[0025] Peer-to-Peer (Ad Hoc): Wireless configuration in
`which one or more computers can share a projector equipped
`with the same wireless capability. Peer-to peer implies that
`each projector user has the same capabilities and each user
`can initiate a communication session with the projector (or
`theoretically each other). Ad hoc is Latin meaning 'for this'
`or 'for this purpose only,' implying a temporary or sponta(cid:173)
`neous arrangement, as is the case of mobile wireless com(cid:173)
`puters that come and go from a presentation room. This
`arrangement allows equal access for all users and thus
`collaborative meetings or shared presentations are possible.
`
`[0026] Alternate Display Device, or Projector Device: The
`projector device uses both Terminal Services and UPnP. The
`device exposes the methods that a MRM device uses to
`control the device and establish a connection via Terminal
`Services. This could be an actual projector or another device,
`such as a laptop, hooked to a projector.
`
`[0027] RA: Remote Assistance.
`
`[0028] Terminal Services (TS): Terminal Services is
`responsible for the protocol used to "stream" the screen of
`the user.
`
`[0029] UPnP Device Host and Control Point: The Univer(cid:173)
`sal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol is used for discovery of
`the device. In addition, the device is hosted within the UPnP
`Device Host service.
`
`[0030] RDP Salem Layer: The RDP Salem Layer under(cid:173)
`stands the Remote Assistance "tickets" used for establishing
`a connection.
`
`[0031] Salem Layer for TS: Salem Layer is a current ticket
`generation layer for Remote Assistance.
`
`[0032] Exemplary Networked and Distributed Environ(cid:173)
`ments
`
`[0033] One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that
`the invention can be implemented in connection with any
`computer or other client or server device, which can be
`deployed as part of a computer network, or in a distributed
`computing environment. In this regard, the present invention
`pertains to any computer system or environment having any
`number of memory or storage units, and any number of
`applications and processes occurring across any number of
`
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`storage units or volumes, which may be used in connection
`with wireless transmission of content in accordance with the
`present invention. The present invention may apply to an
`environment with server computers and client computers
`deployed in a network environment or distributed computing
`environment, having remote or local storage. The present
`invention may also be applied to standalone computing
`devices, having programming language functionality, inter(cid:173)
`pretation and execution capabilities for generating, receiving
`and transmitting information in connection with remote or
`local services. With network sources for digital media pro(cid:173)
`liferating more than ever, the invention is particularly rel(cid:173)
`evant to those computing devices operating in a network or
`distributed computing environment, and thus the transmis(cid:173)
`sion techniques in accordance with the present invention can
`be applied with great efficacy in those environments.
`
`[0034] Distributed computing provides sharing of com(cid:173)
`puter resources and services by exchange between comput(cid:173)
`ing devices and systems. These resources and services
`include the exchange of information, cache storage and disk
`storage for files. Distributed computing takes advantage of
`network connectivity, allowing clients to leverage their
`collective power and storage to benefit the entire enterprise.
`In this regard, a variety of devices may have applications,
`objects or resources that may implicate the ability to wire(cid:173)
`lessly project content via the invention.
`
`[0035] FIG. 2A provides a schematic diagram of an
`exemplary networked or distributed computing environ(cid:173)
`ment. The distributed computing environment comprises
`computing objects lOa, lOb, etc. and computing objects or
`devices llOa, llOb, llOc, etc. These objects may comprise
`programs, methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc.
`The objects may comprise portions of the same or different
`devices such as PDAs, audio/video devices, MP3 players,
`personal computers, etc. Each object can communicate with
`another object by way of the communications network 14.
`This network may itself comprise other computing objects
`and computing devices that provide services to the system of
`FIG. 2A, and may itself represent multiple interconnected
`networks. In accordance with an aspect of the invention,
`each of the objects lOa, lOb, etc. or llOa, llOb, llOc, etc.
`may contain an application that might make use of an
`interface, such as anAPI, or other object, software, firmware
`and/or hardware, to request or make use of the wireless
`content projection processes in accordance with the inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`It can also be appreciated that an object, such as
`[0036]
`llOc, may be hosted on another computing device lOa, lOb,
`etc. or llOa, llOb, etc. Thus, although the physical envi(cid:173)
`ronment depicted may show the connected devices as com(cid:173)
`puters, such illustration is merely exemplary and the physi(cid:173)
`cal environment may alternatively be depicted or described
`comprising various digital devices such as PDAs, televi(cid:173)
`sions, MP3 players, etc., software objects such as interfaces,
`COM objects, or any device that may be utilized in connec(cid:173)
`tion with a media experience.
`
`[0037] There are a variety of systems, components, and
`network configurations that support distributed computing
`environments. For example, computing systems may be
`connected together by wired or wireless systems, by local
`networks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many of
`the networks are coupled to the Internet, which provides an
`
`infrastructure for widely distributed computing and encom(cid:173)
`passes many different networks. Any of the infrastructures
`may be used for exemplary communications made incident
`to the provision of wireless content projection according to
`the present invention.
`
`In home networking environments, there are at
`[0038]
`least four disparate network transport media that may each
`support a unique protocol, such as Power line, data (both
`wireless and wired), voice (e.g., telephone) and entertain(cid:173)
`ment media. Most home control devices such as light
`switches and appliances may use power lines for connec(cid:173)
`tivity. Data Services may enter the home as broadband (e.g.,
`either DSL or Cable modem) and are accessible within the
`home using either wireless (e.g., HomeRF or 802.llB) or
`wired (e.g., Home PNA, Cat 5, Ethernet, even power line)
`connectivity. Voice traffic may enter the home either as
`wired (e.g., Cat 3) or wireless (e.g., cell phones) and may be
`distributed within the home using Cat 3 wiring. Entertain(cid:173)
`ment media, or other graphical data, may enter the home
`either through satellite or cable and is typically distributed in
`the home using coaxial cable. IEEE 1394 and DVI are also
`digital interconnects for clusters of media devices. All of
`these network environments and others that may emerge as
`protocol standards may be interconnected to form a network,
`such as an intranet, that may be connected to the outside
`world by way of the Internet. In short, a variety of disparate
`sources exist for the storage and transmission of data, and
`consequently, moving forward, computing devices will
`require ways of sharing data, such as data accessed or
`utilized incident to program objects, which request or make
`use of the wireless content transmission mechanism(s) in
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0039] The Internet commonly refers to the collection of
`networks and gateways that utilize the TCP/IP suite of
`protocols, which are well-known in the art of computer
`networking. TCP/IP is an acronym for "Transmission Con(cid:173)
`trol Protocol/Internet Protocol." The Internet can be
`described as a system of geographically distributed remote
`computer networks interconnected by computers executing
`networking protocols that allow users to interact and share
`information over the network(s). Because of such wide(cid:173)
`spread information sharing, remote networks such as the
`Internet have thus far generally evolved into an open system
`for which developers can design software applications for
`performing specialized operations or services, essentially
`without restriction.
`
`[0040] Thus, the network infrastructure enables a host of
`network topologies such as client/server, peer-to-peer, or
`hybrid architectures. The "client" is a member of a class or
`group that uses the services of another class or group to
`which it is not related. Thus, in computing, a client is a
`process, i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, that
`requests a service provided by another program. The client
`process utilizes the requested service without having to
`"know" any working details about the other program or the
`service itself. In a client/server architecture, particularly a
`networked system, a client is usually a computer that
`accesses shared network resources provided by another
`computer, e.g., a server. In the example of FIG. 2A, com(cid:173)
`puters llOa, llOb, etc. can be thought of as clients and
`computers lOa, lOb, etc. can be thought of as the server
`where server lOa, lOb, etc. maintains the data that is then
`replicated in the client computers llOa, llOb, etc., although
`
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`any computer can be considered a client, a server, or both,
`depending on the circumstances. For instance, computer
`llOa may be a laptop, and computing devices lOa, lOb, etc.
`may be remote media devices, or alternate display devices.
`Any of these computing devices may be processing data or
`requesting services or tasks that may implicate the wireless
`transmission/reception of content in accordance with the
`invention.
`
`[0041] A server is typically a remote computer system
`accessible over a remote or local network, such as the
`Internet. The client process may be active in a first computer
`system, and the server process may be active in a second
`computer system, communicating with one another over a
`communications medium, thus providing distributed func(cid:173)
`tionality and allowing multiple clients to take advantage of
`the information-gathering capabilities of the server. Any
`software objects utilized pursuant to the invention may be
`distributed across multiple computing devices or objects.
`
`[0042] Client(s) and server(s) communicate with one
`another utilizing the functionality provided by protocol
`layer(s). For example, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
`is a common protocol that is used in conjunction with the
`World Wide Web (WWW), or "the Web." For instance,
`remote desktop protocol (RDP) is a common protocol uti(cid:173)
`lized for remote computing. Typically, a computer network
`address such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or other
`reference such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) can
`be used to identify the server or client computers to each
`other. The network address can be referred to as a URL
`address. Communication can be provided over a communi(cid:173)
`cations medium, e.g., client(s) and server(s) may be coupled
`to one another via TCP/IP connection(s) for high-capacity
`communication.
`[0043] Thus, FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary networked
`or distributed environment, with a server in communication
`with client computers via a network/bus, in which the
`present invention may be employed. In more detail, a
`number of servers lOa, lOb, etc., are interconnected via a
`communications network/bus 14, which may be a LAN,
`WAN, intranet, the Internet, etc., with a number of client or
`remote computing devices llOa, llOb, llOc, llOd, llOe,
`etc., such as a portable computer, handheld computer, thin
`client, networked appliance, or other device, such as a VCR,
`TV, oven, light, heater and the like in accordance with the
`present invention. It is thus contemplated that the present
`invention may apply to any computing device having media
`abilities when it comes to storage, creation, user interface,
`rendering, etc.
`
`In a network environment in which the communi(cid:173)
`[0044]
`cations network/bus 14 is the Internet, for example, the
`servers lOa, lOb, etc. can be Web servers with which the
`clients llOa, llOb, llOc, llOd, llOe, etc. communicate via
`any of a number of known protocols such as HTTP. Servers
`lOa, lOb, etc. may also serve as clients llOa, llOb, llOc,
`llOd, llOe, etc., as may be characteristic of a distributed
`computing environment.
`
`[0045] Communications may be wired or wireless, where
`appropriate. Client devices llOa, llOb, llOc, llOd, llOe,
`etc. may or may not communicate via communications
`network/bus 14, and may have independent communications
`associated therewith. For example, in the case of a TV or
`VCR, there may or may not be a networked aspect to the
`
`control thereof. Each client computer llOa, llOb, llOc,
`llOd, llOe, etc. and server computer lOa, lOb, etc. may be
`equipped with various application program modules or
`objects 135 and with connections or access to various types
`of storage elements or objects, across which files or data
`streams may be stored or to which portion(s) of files or data
`streams may be downloaded, transmitted or migrated. Any
`one or more of computers lOa, lOb, llOa, llOb, etc. may be
`responsible for the maintenance and updating of a dat