US6243772B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for coupling a personal computer with an appliance unit via a wireless communication link to provide an output display presentation
Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc
•
Filing: 1997-01-31
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Granted: 2001-06-05
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Expires: 2017-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method and apparatus for incorporating an appliance into a computer system. One embodiment of the invention has a computer with a first digital wireless transceiver, and an appliance unit with a second digital wireless transceiver for communicatively coupling to the first wireless transceiver. This appliance unit also has (1) an output device, communicatively coupled to the second wireless transceiver, for presenting an output presentation based on signals received from the computer via the wireless transceivers, and (2) an input device, communicatively coupled to the second wireless transceiver, for receiving input signals from a operator of the appliance unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Amar Ghori
- 👤 John White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; H04N9/641; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N5/00; H04N5/38; H04W; H04W76/00; H04W76/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method comprising the steps of: establishing a wireless communication link between an appliance unit and a personal computer configured to operate under the control of an operating system and one or more applications programs through a first transceiver communicatively coupled to the computer and a second transceiver communicatively coupled to the appliance unit through a control unit, the control unit including a decompression engine configured to decompress signals received across the wireless communication link and a compression engine configured to compress signals to be transmitted across the wireless communication link; and; providing an output display presentation on a display screen of the appliance unit based on first signals transmitted from the personal computer via the wireless communication link.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method comprising the steps of: establishing a wireless communication link between an appliance unit and a personal computer configured to operate under the control of an operating system and one or more applications programs through a first transceiver communicatively coupled to the computer and a second transceiver communicatively coupled to the appliance unit through a control unit, the control unit including a decompression engine configured to decompress signals received across the wireless communication link and a compression engine configured to compress signals to be transmitted across the wireless communication link; and; providing an output display presentation on a display screen of the appliance unit based on first signals transmitted from the personal computer via the wireless communication link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing a wireless communication link comprises the step of establishing a spread spectrum wireless communication link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing a wireless communication link comprises the step of establishing a spread spectrum wireless communication link between the personal computer and an audio-visual equipment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing a wireless communication link comprises the step of establishing a spread spectrum wireless communication link between the personal computer and a television.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: receiving input commands from an input device associated with the appliance unit; and forwarding the received input commands to the personal computer via the wireless communication link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of: processing the input commands at the personal computer; and in response to the processing of the input commands, transmitting the first signals from the personal computer to the appliance unit through the wireless communication link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of: processing the input commands at the personal computer; and in response to the processing of the input commands, modifying an operation performed on the personal computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the modifying step comprises modifying an operation of a device coupled to the personal computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the modifying step comprises modifying an operation of a peripheral device coupled to the personal computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the modifying step comprises modifying an operation of another appliance unit coupled to the personal computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the modifying step comprises modifying an operation of a second computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of: transmitting second signals from the personal computer to the appliance unit through the wireless communication link; and presenting an additional output presentation at an output device of the appliance unit based on the signals transmitted from the personal computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of presenting the additional output presentation comprises presenting an output audio presentation at an output audio device of the appliance unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of composing graphics data prior to transmitting the second signals, wherein transmitting the second signals includes transmitting the graphics data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of composing audio data prior to transmitting the second signals, wherein transmitting the second signals includes transmitting the audio data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of composing audio-visual data prior to transmitting the second signals, wherein transmitting the second signals includes transmitting the audio-visual data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of compressing signals for transmission prior to transmitting the second signals, wherein transmitting the second signals comprises transmitting compressed signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of digitally encoding the second signals prior to transmitting the second signals, wherein transmitting the second signals comprises transmitting digitally encoded signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of establishing includes establishing a digital radio frequency (“RF”) link.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of establishing includes establishing an isochronous link.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of establishing includes establishing a real-time link.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of establishing includes establishing a multi-media link.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
86 words
A system comprising: a first transceiver configured to be communicatively coupled to a personal computer; a second transceiver configured to be communicatively coupled to the first transceiver through a digital wireless communication link; and a control unit coupled to the second transceiver and configured to be coupled to an appliance unit, the control unit including a decompression engine configured to decompress signals received across the wireless communication link, and also including a compression engine configured to compress signals to be transmitted across the wireless communication link.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
86 words
A system comprising: a first transceiver configured to be communicatively coupled to a personal computer; a second transceiver configured to be communicatively coupled to the first transceiver through a digital wireless communication link; and a control unit coupled to the second transceiver and configured to be coupled to an appliance unit, the control unit including a decompression engine configured to decompress signals received across the wireless communication link, and also including a compression engine configured to compress signals to be transmitted across the wireless communication link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the first and second transceivers are spread spectrum transceivers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the appliance unit is an audio-visual equipment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the appliance unit is a television.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising an input device, wherein the control unit is further configured to control communications between the input device and the second transceiver.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the control unit is configured to control communications between the input device and the second transceiver by formatting signals received from the input device for transmission.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 28 further comprising a personal computer configured to operate under the control of an operating system and one or more applications programs and being coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the personal computer processes signals generated by the input device, and in response to this processing, modifies an operation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the personal computer modifies an operation of a device coupled to the personal computer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the personal computer modifies an operation of a peripheral device coupled to the personal computer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the personal computer modifies an operation of another appliance coupled to the personal computer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the personal computer modifies an operation of a second computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 28 further comprising a personal computer coupled to the first transceiver and configured to (1) process signals generated by the input device, and (2) transmit signals to the appliance unit to provide an output presentation at an output device associated therewith under the control of an operating system and one or more applications programs.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 38 , wherein the personal computer transmits signals to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link, and the appliance unit provides the output presentation at the output device based on the signals transmitted by the personal computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising an input/output control unit coupled to the second transceiver, the input device, and the output device, the input/output control unit configured to control communications between the input and output devices and the second transceiver.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the input/output control unit is further configured to format signals received from the second transceiver for presentation at the output device, and to format signals received from the input device for transmission.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the input/output control unit includes a decoding engine configured to digitally decode signals received from the second transceiver.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the input/output control unit includes a digital filtering engine configured to filter signals received from the second transceiver.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein thc appliance unit comprises a television and the input/output control unit includes an encoder configured to encode signals received from the second transceiver into a television display format.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a digital encoding engine communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, the digital encoding engine configured to digitally encode signals prior to transmission to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a compression engine communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, the compression engine configured to compress signals prior to transmission to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a digital filtering engine communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, the digital filtering engine configured to filter signals prior to transmission to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a graphics engine communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, the graphics engine configured to compose graphics data for transmission to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising an audio engine communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, the audio engine configured to compose audio data for transmission to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a frame synchronization engine communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, the frame synchronization engine configured for synchronizing audio and visual data prior to transmission to the appliance unit via the wireless communication link.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 35 further comprising a media access controller communicatively coupled to the first transceiver.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 47 , wherein the media access controller uses an isochronous link protocol.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein the first and second transceivers are spread spectrum transceivers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-04 | 2004-12-04 | 2005-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-04 | 2008-12-04 | 2009-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-04 | 2012-12-04 | 2013-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |