(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0077310 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 13, 2006
`Wang et al.
`
`US 20060077310Al
`
`(54) METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS
`FOR DISPLAYING THE MULTIMEDIA
`INFORMATION FROM WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
`
`(76) Inventors: Tiejun Ronald Wang, La Jolla, CA
`(US); William E. Halal, Washington,
`DC (US); Tiehong Ann Wang,
`Arlington, VA (U S); Ximing Wang,
`Beijing (CN)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/ 588,358, ?led on Jul.
`16, 2004.
`
`Publication CIaSSi?CatiOH
`
`(51) Int- Cl
`(200601)
`H04N 3/27
`(52) US. Cl. .......................................... .. 348/838; 348/554
`
`Correspondence Address:
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Christopher M. Tobin
`RADER, FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
`suite 501
`1233 20th street, N_W_
`Washington, DC 20036 (Us)
`
`(21) App1_ NO;
`
`11/165,341
`
`(22) Filed;
`
`Jun, 24, 2005
`
`_
`_
`_
`_
`Video signals for a mobile termlnal are converted to accom
`modate reproduction by an alternative display terminal. The
`video signal from a Wireless communication network is
`processed to provide a converted video signal appropriate
`for an alternative display terminal. This converted video
`signal is then provided to accommodate the corresponding
`video display on a screen provided by the alternative (e.g.,
`external) display terminal.
`
`MTSCM
`
`/
`
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`
`Interface/Buffer M 302
`
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`Page 1 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 1 0f 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
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`Page 2 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publi cation Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Computing System
`
`Memory
`
`MTSCM
`
`Processor 7
`
`200
`
`// 202
`Mobile Terrninal lnterface Module
`
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`// -
`
`Signal Conversion Module '
`
`206 /
`External Device Interface
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Page 3 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`MTSCM
`
`300
`
`Interface/Buffer A] 302
`
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`
`Page 4 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 4 0f 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Mobile terminal receives multimedia signal through // 402
`
`-
`
`'
`
`wireless connection.
`
`'
`
`Y MTSCM receives multimedia signal that
`accommodates display by a mobile tenninal.
`
`_ /~/ 404
`
`406'
`MTSCM'processes the multimedia signal to provide
`a converted signal appropriate for an external display /
`
`device. ,
`
`‘
`
`MTSCM provides the converted signal to the external
`408
`display device to accommodate corresponding //
`reproduction (e.g., video) using facilities provided by
`‘
`the external display'device.
`
`; FIG. 4
`
`Page 5 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 5 0f 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 6 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 6 0f 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`l?mtiin’edia;
`131a strewn
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 7 of 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13, 2006 Sheet 7 0f 7
`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
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`Page 8 of 14
`
`

`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR
`DISPLAYING THE MULTIMEDIA INFORMATION
`FROM WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`NETWORKS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`[0001] This application claims the bene?t of provisional
`application Ser. No. 60/588,358 ?led on Jul. 16, 2004 and
`entitled “A Method and System for Displaying the Multi
`media Inforrnation from Wireless Communications or Por
`table IT Devices,” the entire contents of Which are hereby
`incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] This invention relates generally to mobile termi
`nals and related technology and more particularly to mobile
`terminal signal conversion for external display.
`[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
`[0005] Handheld mobile terminals (e.g., cellular phones,
`personal digital assistants (PDA)) continue to evolve both in
`terms of execution platform and functionality. It is believed
`that the much of the functionality provided by a personal
`computer (e.g., desktop or laptop) Will ultimately become
`virtually available in handheld mobile terminals, Which Will
`alloW users to Work With and access multimedia information
`any time and anyWhere.
`[0006] For example, one particularly appealing advantage
`of the next generation Wireless communication system and
`beyond (i.e., 3G, 4G, etc.) is the capacity to support high rate
`multimedia data services as Well as conventional voice
`services. In a conventional cellular system a mobile terminal
`communicates With a base station Wirelessly. Multimedia
`information including but not limited to television, 3D
`images, netWork games, and video phone calls is transmitted
`from various service providers and received for display on
`the screen of a mobile terminal. The net result of such a
`system is rich multimedia information being destined for
`display on the small screens typical of cellular phones (or the
`like).
`[0007] In these and similar systems, the mobile, terminal
`functions as a multimedia terminal to display multimedia
`information (including high-resolution graphics and high
`quality real-time audio/video) sent from high data rate
`Wireless communications netWork. The limited siZe (e.g.,
`2x3") and capability of the mobile terminal screen may
`render enjoyment of the high rate data How applications
`inconvenient, and in some instances useless. One conse
`quence of this inadequacy is likely shrinkage of the potential
`market siZe for handheld mobile terminals. Indeed, some
`have suggested that development of high data rate systems
`such as 3G systems may be pointless given the limitations
`imposed by the small screen.
`
`[0008] Some mobile units appear to provide a remote
`control function to an external display system. HoWever,
`these do not appear to solve the small screen problem
`outlined above. That is, they do not accommodate display on
`a larger, external display of video and other multimedia
`information originally destined for the mobile terminal
`display screen;
`
`[0009] For example, one such interface accommodates
`usage of the mobile terminal as a remote control for a
`television, by feeding programming guide information to the
`mobile terminal. This is useful for alloWing the program
`ming guide to be vieWed locally While the larger screen
`displays a current program, but does not address to the
`above-described small screen problem.
`[0010] Although mobile terminals have been developed to
`include enhanced signal processing and related capabilities,
`user enjoyment is diminished by the limitations of the
`display provided With such mobile terminals. What is
`needed is a solution to the problem of diminished user
`enjoyment of mobile terminals because of display limita
`tions.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011] In accordance With the present invention, the mul
`timedia signal destined for the mobile terminal is converted
`and provided to an external display system, so that the
`corresponding video and/or audio may be reproduced using
`the external system.
`
`[0012] It is believed that this feature Will be useful in
`various environments, including but not limited to transpor
`tation environments such as planes, trains and automobiles;
`hotels; Waiting areas; and any location Where high data rate
`services can be more fully supported by external display
`terminals.
`
`[0013] According to one aspect, processing signals for
`reproduction by an external display terminal includes receiv
`ing a video signal that accommodates a video display on a
`?rst screen provided by the mobile terminal. The video
`signal is then processed to provide a converted video signal
`appropriate for an external display terminal that is separate
`from the mobile terminal. This converted video signal is
`then provided for the external display terminal to accom
`modate the corresponding video display on a screen pro
`vided by the external display terminal.
`
`[0014] The present invention can be embodied in various
`forms, including business processes, computer implemented
`methods, computer program products, computer systems
`and netWorks, user interfaces, application programming
`interfaces, and the like.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0015] These and other more detailed and speci?c features
`of the present invention are more fully disclosed in the
`folloWing speci?cation, reference being had to the accom
`panying draWings, in Which:
`[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an
`example of a system in Which mobile terminal signal con
`version may reside in accordance With the present invention.
`
`[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
`of a mobile terminal signal conversion module in accor
`dance With the present invention.
`
`[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another
`example of a mobile terminal signal conversion module in
`accordance With the present invention.
`
`[0019] FIG. 4 is a How diagram illustrating an embodi
`ment of a process including mobile terminal signal conver
`sion in accordance With the present invention.
`
`Page 9 of 14
`
`

`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another
`example of a system in Which mobile terminal signal con
`version may reside in accordance With the present invention.
`
`[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating still
`another example of a system in Which mobile terminal signal
`conversion may reside in accordance With the present inven
`tion.
`
`[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating
`examples of mobile terminal signal conversion applications
`in accordance With the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0023] In the folloWing description, for purposes of expla
`nation, numerous details are set forth, such as ?oWcharts and
`system con?gurations, in order to provide an understanding
`of one or more embodiments of the present invention.
`HoWever, it is and Will be apparent to one skilled in the art
`that these speci?c details are not required in order to practice
`the present invention.
`
`[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an
`example of a system 100 in Which mobile terminal signal
`conversion may reside in accordance With the present inven
`tion.
`
`[0025] Mobile terminal signal conversion accommodates
`displaying the high rate data How multimedia information
`available in a Wireless communication environment in an
`external device. This accommodates true realiZation and
`enjoyment of the bene?ts of the multimedia content.
`
`[0026] In one example, the multimedia information is
`provided to a Wireless mobile terminal using so-called next
`generation cellular technology (i.e., 3G and 4G), Which can
`be employed in transmitting multimedia information (e.g.,
`rich graphics, real-time audio/video). Because of the rela
`tively small screen siZe and loW quality ear phones, for many
`applications the mobile terminal cannot adequately repro
`duce the high quality multimedia information that can be
`communicated using next generation technology With
`adequate clarity and satisfaction. Mobile terminal signal
`conversion in accordance With this embodiment of the
`present invention makes usage of a separate multimedia
`display terminal including but not limited to a monitor,
`television set, projector, or LCD display. These displays
`typically have video and audio reproduction capabilities that
`are superior to those found on mobile terminals. They also
`use a poWer supply that is separate from the mobile terminal.
`
`[0027] Still referring to the system 100 illustrated in FIG.
`1, multimedia information may be provided by any number
`of service providers 102a-b and delivered through a netWork
`104 to a base station 106 to ultimately accommodate trans
`mission of the multimedia information, among other things,
`to a cellular phone 108. This system 100 is provided by Way
`of example, and it should be understood that any conven
`tional or to-be-developed technology for delivering voice
`and/or data to mobile terminals may be provided. These
`Wireless communication netWorks include but are not lim
`ited to a cellular communications netWork or a Wireless local
`area netWork.
`
`[0028] Also illustrated is a typical external display system
`114. This may also be variously provided and may be digital
`
`or analog. Examples of digital systems include HDTV, LCD
`and plasma. Examples of analog systems include television
`sets that implement standards such as NTSC, PAL, SECAM,
`and analog computer monitors (SVGA, VGA). The external
`display system 114 does not have the siZe constraints of the
`display screen on the cellular phone 108 and is preferably
`poWered independently.
`[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, a mobile terminal
`signal conversion module (MTSCM) 112 resides Within a
`separate housing 110, outside the cellular phone 108.
`[0030] The functionality of the MTSCM 112 is noW
`further described With concurrent reference to FIG. 1 and
`the How diagram of FIG. 4.
`[0031] The MTSCM 112 processes signals to accommo
`date reproduction by an external device. Speci?cally, a
`multimedia signal is transmitted to the cellular phone 108
`through the Wireless communications netWork as previously
`described (step 402). The multimedia signal may include a
`video signal intended for reproduction by the cellular phone
`108, using the cellular phone display screen. For ease of
`description, processing of a video signal is described,
`although it should be understood that any multimedia signal
`or component thereof may be converted in accordance With
`the present invention.
`[0032] The cellular phone 108 is connected to the
`MTSCM 110. This may be accommodated by a cable
`connection that interfaces the cellular phone 108 to the
`MTSCM 112 housing 110. Through this connection, the
`MTSCM 112 receives the video signal from the cellular
`phone 108 (step 404). The video signal as received may be
`con?gured to accommodate a video display on the screen
`provided by the cellular phone 108. The cable connection is
`an example of a Wired connection interfacing the cellular
`phone 108 to the MTSCM 112. An alternative Wired con
`nection is a seat that directly interfaces the tWo Without a
`cable. AWireless connection may also be provided, although
`it may currently be less practical to provide than the Wired
`connection because of the potential for high throughput rate
`requirements. The Wireless connection may also implement
`any conventional knoWn technology including but not lim
`ited to a Bluetooth connection.
`[0033] The MTSCM 112 processes the video signal to
`provide a converted video signal that has a display format
`and/or signal poWer level appropriate for an external display
`terminal 114 that is separate from the cellular phone 108
`(step 406). The display format and/or signal poWer level of
`the external display terminal 114 may be different from that
`of the cellular phone 108 but there may also be embodiments
`Where the format is the same. Even if the formats are the
`same, conversion of the signals to accommodate display on
`the external display terminal 114 Would still be implemented
`to adjust the poWer level for driving the external display, and
`possibly to minimize throughput requirements. This signal
`conversion is described further With reference to FIGS. 2
`and 3, beloW.
`[0034] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, folloWing signal
`conversion, the MTSCM 112 provides the converted video
`signal to the external display terminal 114 to accommodate
`the corresponding video display on a screen provided by the
`external display terminal 114 (step 408). This may be
`accommodated through a connection betWeen the MTSCM
`112 housing 110 and the external display terminal 114 as
`shoWn.
`
`Page 10 of 14
`
`

`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`[0035] As used herein, mobile terminal refers to typically
`handheld mobile devices such as cellular phones and per
`sonal digital assistants. Although these devices include an
`execution platform as Well as input and display capabilities,
`such devices are distinguished from personal computers,
`such as desktop or laptop computers, Which are not designed
`for convenient handheld usage.
`
`[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
`of an MTSCM 200 in accordance With the present invention.
`The MTSCM 200 may be provided as softWare, ?rmware,
`hardWare, or any combination thereof.
`
`[0037] Where the MTSCM 200 is provided as softWare, it
`operates in the context of an execution platform. That is, the
`MTSCM 200 includes instructions that are stored in memory
`for execution by a processor. Any conventional or to-be
`developed execution platform may be used. The processor,
`memory, and related elements such as a poWer supply are
`Well knoWn and need not be described herein to convey an
`understanding of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 2 illus
`trates one modular breakdown for the components of the
`MTSCM 200. It should be understood that the described
`functionality may alternatively be provided by an MTSCM
`having feWer, greater, or differently named modules from
`those illustrated in the ?gure.
`
`[0038] Additionally, although modules as shoWn to reside
`in a common location, it is noted that the functionality may
`reside in separate components of a system that includes a
`mobile terminal, an external monitor, and (optionally) an
`intermediate device housing the MTSCM and interfacing the
`mobile terminal and external monitor. In other Words, the
`overall functionality of the MTSCM may be separated such
`that portions of the overall functionality are respectively
`provided by the mobile terminal, separate intermediate
`housing, and/or the external display device.
`
`[0039] The MTSCM 200 may also be provided in the form
`of a chipset, con?gured for inclusion in a mobile terminal,
`dedicated separate signal conversion device, or external
`display terminal, and to provide the described mobile ter
`minal signal conversion functionality.
`
`[0040] The MTSCM 200 includes a mobile terminal inter
`face module 202, a signal conversion module 204, and an
`external device interface module 206.
`
`[0041] The mobile terminal interface module 202 accom
`modates receiving the multimedia signal from the mobile
`terminal. A conventional physical interface provides a con
`nection betWeen the MTSCM 200 and the mobile terminal
`through Which the signals How to the MTSCM 200. The
`mobile terminal interface module 202 recogniZes the mul
`timedia signal and stores the signal for processing by the
`remaining modules. Buffering and the like may be imple
`mented to accommodate storage and signal processing, as
`described further beloW.
`
`[0042] The signal conversion module 204 is in commu
`nication With the mobile terminal interface module 202 and
`thus accesses the received multimedia signal. The signal
`conversion module 204 recogniZes the multimedia signal
`format, and processes the multimedia signal to provide a
`converted signal. The converted signal may have a format
`and a signal poWer level that differs from the one used by the
`mobile terminal, as appropriate for one or more types of
`external devices to Which the MTSCM 200 is connected.
`
`Various examples of the type of devices to Which the
`MTSCM 200 may be connected are illustrated and described
`in connection With FIG. 3, beloW.
`[0043] The external device interface 206 is in communi
`cation With the signal conversion module 204 and thus
`accesses the converted signal. The external device interface
`206 also alloWs connection to the external (e.g., display)
`device. The external device interface 206 may provide both
`the feeding of the converted signal to the external device,
`and driving the external device. Alternatively, the external
`device interface 206 may merely feed the converted signal
`to the external device, With the external device including
`internal elements for driving its signal reproduction (e.g.,
`display) facilities.
`[0044] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another
`example of the MTSCM 300. The MTSCM 300 includes
`additional detail regarding the signal conversion aspect, and
`illustrates examples of differing types of external devices to
`Which the MTSCM 300 may provide converted signals. The
`illustration and corresponding description are provided by
`Way of example. Although numerous connections are illus
`trated, it should be understood that the present invention
`may be practiced in the context of providing as feW as one,
`and as many as all of the listed connections. It should also
`be understood that there may be additional examples that are
`not listed herein, but Which are encompassed by the teach
`ings described herein.
`[0045] The MTSCM 300 includes an interface/buffer
`module 302 that is analogous to the previously described
`mobile terminal interface module. The buffer and interfacing
`are con?gured to accommodate signal processing by the
`remaining elements in support of the requirements and
`expectations of users of the multimedia signal output (e.g.,
`adequate buffering and processing rate to provide real time
`audio/video). The mobile terminal video compression for
`mat may of course vary, but currently the most likely format
`is MPEG-l or MPEG-2. Buffering and throughput rate may
`also be provided as desired by the designer. Currently, it is
`believed that 200 Mb is an adequate buffer size, although
`bulfers of 500 Mb or more may of course be provided.
`Additionally, a throughput rate of approximately 10 Gb/s
`Will be adequate for many current systems, but may be
`increased as demands and technology evolve.
`[0046] The Video Compress Decoder 304a receives the
`multimedia signal. The multimedia signal is typically pro
`vided in a compressed format to accommodate increased
`signal transfer rates. An example of a compression scheme
`is that provided by one of the MPEG standards (e.g.,
`MPEG-l, MPEG-2, MPEG-4). The Video Compress
`Decoder 30411 is con?gured to include the appropriate
`compression/decompression (CODEC) module to accom
`modate decompression of the received multimedia signal.
`For example, Where the compression scheme is MPEG, the
`Video Compress Decoder 304a includes an MPEG CODEC
`to accommodate processing of such multimedia signals.
`[0047] As an alternative to provision of the Video Com
`press Decoder 30411 in the MTSCM 300, the functionality
`may be provided Within the cellular phone or other mobile
`terminal. HoWever, this may be less practical because of the
`high bandWidth that Would be required betWeen the cellular
`phone and the MTSCM 300 to deliver the decompressed
`signal, and the corresponding likelihood of a larger bulfer
`requirement for the MTSCM 300.
`
`Page 11 of 14
`
`

`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`[0048] The Video Compress Decoder 304a outputs a
`decompressed digital multimedia signal that is passed to the
`Digital/Analog Video Encoder (DAVE) 3041) and/or the
`Digital/Digital Video Encoder (DDVE) 3040. The DAVE
`30419 is con?gured to prepare signals for analog external
`display terminals 320, and the DDVE 3040 is con?gured to
`prepare signals for digital external display terminals 322.
`The DAVE 30419 and DDVE 3040 respectively receive the
`decompressed multimedia signal and convert the signals to
`the format(s) and signal poWer level(s) required for the
`terminals to Which they interface.
`[0049] Examples of formats used by analog display ter
`minals 320 include S-video, RGBHV, RGBS, and EIA770.3
`as illustrated. Similarly, the DDVE 3040 provides output
`using standards such as DVI, DVI-D, HDMI, and
`IEEEl394. The signals respectively provided by the DAVE
`30419 and DDVE 3040 are provided to the terminals through
`conventional interfaces 306a-b. The DAVE 304!) function
`ality may be embodied as a video card that is con?gured
`accordingly. Examples of video cards that may be con?g
`ured to provide the described functionality include but are
`not limited to the Diamond Stealth S60, ASUS V9400-X, or
`RADEON 7000.
`
`[0050] Ultimately, the signals are used to provide a display
`on the external display, as required according to the particu
`lar type of display. For example, the video data stream may
`be a digital RGB signal Which represents the intensity of the
`red, green and blue light respectively at different position.
`This signal is converted to analog by a DIA converter. This
`converted analog signal is quanti?ed to the voltage and
`format required by the standard, such as the input of
`cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitor. This standard video signal
`Will drive a set of electron guns, Which produce a controlled
`stream of electrons to display of red, green and blue light
`respectively on a CRT screen. This is but one example and
`the present invention is not limited to a particular technology
`(e.g., CRT) for the external display.
`[0051] As described, in one embodiment the MTSCM
`may be independently housed separately from both the
`mobile terminal and external display terminal, With respec
`tive connections to the other devices to provide a system
`con?guration that includes the three pieces of hardWare
`(mobile terminal, conversion box, external display termi
`nal). This con?guration provides the ?exibility of alloWing
`any standard mobile terminal and/or display to be potentially
`interface With the MTSCM Without imposing constraints on
`the mobile terminal or external display terminal manufac
`turers. A possible draWback to this con?guration is that
`additional hardWare is introduced into the system.
`
`[0052] In lieu of the three component system, the MTSCM
`may be located in either the mobile terminal or the external
`display. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrates an example
`of a system 500 in Which the MTSCM mobile terminal
`signal conversion may reside Within the mobile terminal
`508. The components and functionality of the service pro
`viders 502a,b netWork 504 and base station 506 for deliv
`ering multimedia signals to the mobile terminal 508 is the
`same as for the analogous elements of FIG. 1 and need not
`be re-described. Similarly, the external display terminal 514
`may be any of the various types named above.
`
`[0053] The MTSCM 512 provides the same functionality
`described above. HoWever, in contrast to residence in a
`
`separate housing, the MTSCM 512 is a component of the
`mobile terminal 508. A potential advantage of this system
`500 is that, again, any standard equipment can serve as an
`external display terminal 514, Without a constraint on the
`display manufacturer. Additionally, only a simple Wired or
`Wireless interface is required to connect the external display
`With the mobile terminal 508. This means, for example, that
`the user Will not be required to carry a bulky conversion
`module in addition to their cellular phone.
`
`[0054] A potential draWback to this system 500 is that the
`execution platform of the mobile terminal 508 may be
`designed to accommodate only traditional functionality, so
`for some systems it may be challenging to add the MTSCM
`functionality to the existing platform. Additionally, the
`MTSCM Will consume poWer that may unduly exhaust the
`limited poWer supply offered by the mobile terminal 508
`battery. It is useful for this embodiment to provide poWer to
`the mobile terminal 508 through the cable connection to the
`external display terminal 514, but again this may require
`modi?cation to the mobile terminal 508 as the existing
`charger interface may be insufficient.
`
`[0055] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another
`example of a system 600, in Which the MTSCM 612 resides
`Within the external display terminal 614. As With FIG. 5, the
`components and functionality of the service providers
`602a,b netWork 604 and base station 606 for delivering
`multimedia signals to the mobile terminal 608 is the same as
`for the analogous elements of FIG. 1 and need not be
`re-described.
`
`[0056] Here, the mobile terminal 608 need only be con
`nected directly to the external display terminal 614. HoW
`ever, in lieu of having the MTSCM 612 functionality reside
`Within the mobile terminal 608, it is part of the external
`display terminal 614. The poWer supply and execution
`platform issues associated With placing the MTSCM 614 in
`the mobile terminal are resolved With this system 600, and
`any mobile terminal 608 can potentially be connected to any
`MTSCM-ready external display Without requiring modi?
`cation, other than provision of an output interface. A poten
`tial drawback of this con?guration is that it adds a compo
`nent to the standard external display terminal, and
`corresponding costs.
`
`[0057] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating
`examples of mobile terminal signal conversion applications
`700 in accordance With the present invention. These appli
`cations 700 are provided by Way of example, to give the
`reader an understanding of the potential contexts in Which
`embodiments of the present invention may operate. The
`present invention is not limited to the disclosed applications,
`nor are all potential applications required for any given
`embodiment.
`
`[0058] The basic architecture for provision of the Wireless
`communications signal and corresponding multimedia sig
`nal is as described above for the service providers 702a-b,
`netWork 704, base station 706 and mobile terminal 708. The
`MTSCM 710 may be separate or reside in the mobile
`terminal 708 or display terminal 712. Examples of applica
`tions 714 Where a larger screen and potentially superior
`audio may be enjoyed include video conference, HDTV,
`games, GPS, and video on demand. Additionally, embodi
`ments of the present invention Will accommodate enjoyment
`of full multimedia capability in locations 716 including
`
`Page 12 of 14
`
`

`
`US 2006/0077310 A1
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`vehicles, airports, hotels and remote resorts. Thus, for
`example, the present invention accommodates usage inside
`a vehicle, a plane or any type of transportation, enabling the
`passenger to broWse the Internet, Watch TV, play games,
`participate in a video conference or call, and Work on all
`sorts of softWare With full functionality.
`
`[0059] Thus embodiments of the present invention pro
`duce and provide mobile terminal signal conversion.
`Although the present invention has been described in con
`siderable detail With reference to certain embodiments
`thereof, the invention may be variously embodied Without
`departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. There
`fore, the folloWing claims should not be limited to the
`description of the embodiments contained herein in any Way.
`
`1-66. (canceled)
`67. A method for processing signals to accommodate
`reproduction by an alternative display terminal, the method
`comprising:
`receiving a video signal appropriate for displaying a video
`content on a mobile terminal;
`
`processing the video signal to provide a converted video
`signal that can be used by an alternative display ter
`minal; and
`providing the converted video signal to the alternative
`display terminal to accommodate displaying the video
`content on a screen provided by the alternative display
`terminal.
`68. The method of claim 67, Wherein the mobile terminal
`is a cellular phone.
`69. The method of claim 67, Wherein the mobile terminal
`is a personal digital assistant.
`70. The method of claim 67, Wherein the alternative
`display terminal is an analog display device such as an
`analog computer monitor or a television set of an NTSC,
`PAL, and SECAM standard or a digital display device such
`as HDTV, LCD, and plasma.
`71. The method of claim 67, Wherein the processing step
`comprises setting the converted video signal to have a
`display format supported by the alternative display terminal.
`72. The method of claim 67, Wherein the processing step
`comprises setting the converted