Title: System and method for communicating data via a wireless high speed link
Abstract: A high-speed wireless link communicates data between a central storage system and a mobile remote system. The wireless link further communicates data between two mobile remote systems. Both the central storage system and the mobile remote system include a central processor, a memory, a transceiver, and a means for data output. The high-speed wireless link is established between the transceivers. Data are loaded, processed and stored on the central storage system. The data, including musical data in MP3 format, are automatically downloaded at high transmission speeds from the central storage system to the mobile remote system.
Patent Number: 6,973,476 Issued on 12/06/2005 to Naden, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Naden; Rex A. (Los Gatos, CA);
Zargari; Masoud (Mountain View, CA)
|
| Assignee:
|
Atheros Communications (Palo Alto, CA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
523573 |
| Filed:
|
March 10, 2000 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
709/203; 709/216; 709/217; 455/345 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
| Field of Search: |
709/200-203,216-219
701/1,35,200,2
455/345,66
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5572442 | Nov., 1996 | Schulhof et al.
| |
| 5721827 | Feb., 1998 | Logan et al.
| |
| 5732216 | Mar., 1998 | Logan et al.
| |
| 5742893 | Apr., 1998 | Frank.
| |
| 5914941 | Jun., 1999 | Janky.
| |
| 6370449 | Apr., 2002 | Razavi et al.
| |
| 6374177 | Apr., 2002 | Lee et al.
| |
| 6377825 | Apr., 2002 | Kennedy et al.
| |
| 6446118 | Sep., 2002 | Gottlieb.
| |
| 6507764 | Jan., 2003 | Parrella et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0 831 608 | Mar., 1998 | EP.
| |
| 2 304 489 | Mar., 1997 | GB.
| |
Primary Examiner: Barot; Bharat
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
Claims
1. A communications system, comprising:
a first unit including a first transceiver, a first memory and a first CPU, the
first CPU operating to access data at the first transceiver and at the first memory; and,
a second unit including a second transceiver for operable coupling to the first
transceiver over a direct wireless link therewith, a second memory and a second
CPU, the second CPU operating to access data at the second transceiver and at the
second memory, wherein
the first CPU is preconfigured to operate in proximity-responsive manner to automatically
transmit without user intervention a request signal from the first transceiver
to the second transceiver over the wireless link,
the second CPU responds to receiving the request signal at the second transceiver
by accessing a data file at the second memory and transmitting the data file from
the second transceiver to the first transceiver over the wireless link, and
the first CPU responds to receiving the data file at the first transceiver by
storing the data file at the first memory.
2. A communications system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle, the wireless link being
established responsive to the first and second units being disposed within a predetermined
proximity one relative to the other.
3. A communications system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first unit includes a music player.
4. A communications system, as claimed in claim 3, wherein
at least one of the first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle.
5. A communications system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the request signal includes a request list, the request list comprising an identifier
for a program, and
the data file accessed by the second CPU includes data for the program identified
by the identifier.
6. A communications system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein
at least one of the first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle, and
the request list is generated by a voice-activated system.
7. A communications system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first unit includes a music player.
8. A communications system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the request signal
is sent in a continuous mode, and
the second transceiver responds to receiving the request signal when the request
signal is received at a sufficient strength.
9. A communications system, as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the
first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle, the wireless link being
established directly between the first and second units proximity-responsive manner.
10. A communications system, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data file includes
MP3-formattted music, and
the first unit includes a music player.
11. A communications system, comprising:
a first unit including a receiver, a first memory and a first CPU, the first
CPU operating to access data at the receiver and at the first memory; and
a second unit including a transmitter for operable coupling to the receiver over
a direct wireless link, a second memory and a second CPU, the second CPU being
preconfigured to operate in proximity-responsive manner to automatically access
data at the transmitter and at the second memory without user intervention for
transmission to the receiver over the wireless link, wherein
the second CPU includes an agent program that generates a request signal,
the second CPU responds to the request signal by selectively accessing a data
file at the second memory and transmitting the data file from the transmitter to
the receiver over the wireless link, and
the first CPU responds to receiving the data file at the receiver by storing
the data file at the first memory.
12. A communications system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of
the first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle.
13. A communications system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first unit includes a music player.
14. A communications system, as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of
the first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle.
15. A communications system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the request signal includes a request list, the request list comprising an identifier
for a program, and
the data file accessed by the second CPU includes data for the program identified
by the identifier.
16. A communications system, as claimed in claim 15, wherein
at least one of the first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle, and
the request list is generated by a voice-activated system.
17. A communications system, as claimed in claim 16, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first unit includes a music player.
18. A communications system, as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the second CPU responds to the request signal when the request signal satisfies
a request threshold.
19. A communications system, as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least one of
the first unit and the second unit is included in a vehicle, the wireless link
being an RF link.
20. A communications system, as claimed in claim 19, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first unit includes a music player.
21. A method for communicating between a first storage unit and a second storage
unit, comprising:
automatically generating a request signal based on program content;
sending the request signal from the first storage unit to the second storage
unit, the first storage unit being preconfigured to operate in proximity-responsive
manner to automatically send without user intervention the request signal from
the first storage unit to the second storage unit over a direct wireless link established therebetween;
accessing a data file at the second storage unit and transmitting the data file
from the second storage unit to the first storage unit over the wireless link,
the second storage unit having received the request signal; and
storing the data file at the first storage unit, the first storage unit having
received the data file from the second storage unit.
22. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one of the first storage
unit and the second storage unit is included in a vehicle.
23. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first storage unit includes a music player.
24. A method, as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least one of the first storage
unit and the second storage unit is included in a vehicle.
25. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein
the request signal includes a request list, the request list comprising an identifier
for a program, and
the data file accessed by the second storage unit includes data for the program
identified by the identifier.
26. A method, as claimed in claim 25, wherein
at least one of the first storage unit and the second storage unit is included
in a vehicle, and
the request list is generated by a voice-activated system.
27. A method, as claimed in claim 26, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first storage unit includes a music player.
28. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein
the request signal is sent in a continuous mode, and
the second storage unit responds to receiving the request signal when the request
signal is received at a sufficient strength.
29. A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one of the first storage
unit and the second storage unit is included in a vehicle.
30. A method, as claimed in claim 29, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first storage unit includes a music player.
31. A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein
the first storage unit is included in a vehicle; and
the second storage unit is included in a fixed unit.
32. A method, as claimed in claim 31, wherein
the data file includes MP3-formattted music, and
the first storage unit includes a music player.
33. A method, as claimed in claim 32, wherein the fixed unit is a dwelling unit.
34. A method, as claimed in claim 32, wherein the fixed unit is a commercial unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to wireless link and more particularly to a low-cost
high-speed wireless link that may be used in an automobile.
2. Description of Related Art
Without the availability of a low-cost high-speed wireless link, the transfer
of data between an automobile and other information sources is cumbersome, particularly
with regards to pre-recorded music. Transferring pre-recorded consumer music to
an automobile may be done by writing the music to an audiotape, which has generally
low fidelity, and then transferring the tape to the automobile, where it can be
played by means of a tape player. The use of pre-recorded CD's generally eliminates
consumer editorial choice in the recording unless specialized recording equipment
is used.
Even when a movable storage medium such as cassette or CD is used to transfer
recorded music to an automobile, other related problems arise. For example, the
devices storing music may be cumbersome to store in the automobile. These storage
devices may be awkward to play, for example, requiring loading in a carousel mounted
in the trunk of the automobile. Additionally the driver of the automobile may be
distracted by the necessary manipulation of the devices. Furthermore, access to
the music will be limited so that the listener will not have ready access to recordings
for example from music databases such as those found on the Internet in MP3 or
other formats, Internet streaming audio music and other programs, and those recordings
created in MP3 by the user on his PC from his own CD collection.
Similar considerations apply to other non-musical data such as educational
programs, news programs, audio books, and entertainment recordings not available
through commercial AM/FM sources. Additionally, other relevant data for transmission
to and from a vehicle may include data related to the automobile's functioning
(e.g., payment authority for operational purposes such as gasoline or car wash
purposes, payment authority for purchases of music, maintenance records, performance
data, tire pressures, fluid levels), the driver's personal databases (e.g., cell
phone directories, personal organizer calendars and directories), and other databases
related to the driver (e.g., bridge and highway toll information, proof of insurance,
proof of ownership or state registration, parking lot and space authorizations,
the driver's home security system).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a low-cost
wireless link that can be used for communication between a fixed unit and a mobile
unit or between two mobile units.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a low-cost high-speed wireless
link that can be used for automatic downloading of data to and from an automobile,
or between automobiles, and for storing such data on inexpensive highly compact
(e.g., PC-card size) memories including miniature high-density hard disc drivesor
flash memory cards including the storage devices that are used for digital photography.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a low-cost high-speed wireless
link that can be used for automatic downloading of encoded music from a fixed base
unit to mobile unit mounted in an automobile, or between two mobile units.
A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a remote music storage and playback
system having a first memory and a central music storage system having a second
memory. The central music storage system operates to store data on the second memory
and contains a transmitter for transmitting the music stored in the second memory
to a receiver associated with the remote music storage and playback system. The
remote music and storage playback system receives the transmitted music, stores
it on the first memory and is capable of playback of the music stored thereon.
The remote music storage and playback system may include a transmitter that operates
to transmit a request signal to the central music storage system. The central music
storage system then responds to receiving the request signal at a receiver included
in the central music storage system by accessing a data file associated with the
received request signal on the second memory and transmitting the data file to
the remote music storage and playback system.
The remote music and storage playback system is preferably mounted in mobile
vehicle such as an automobile. The central music storage system is preferably mounted
in a convenient fixed location such as a house or gasoline filling station that
allows the remote music and storage playback system to come within a predetermined
distance of it, as for example when the automobile is parked near the house. This
allows for the efficient transfer of data files, such as music encoded in MP3 or
some other convenient format, in a relatively short period of time and, according
to the schedule of the user, for example, on a daily basis when the user arrives
at his home in the evening.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent
and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the presently
preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as used
with an automobile.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The diagram of a preferred embodiment of the wireless link of the present invention
in FIG. 1 includes an automobile
2 that includes a remote music storage
and playback system
4 having a CPU (central processing unit)
5, a
transceiver
6, an audio player
7, a memory
8, and a display
10. In a fixed location, such as a house, there is a central storage system
12, which includes a CPU
14 with a display
15, a transceiver
16, a memory
18, a CD (compact disk) player
20, and an Internet
connection
21.
An RF (radio frequency) link
22 provides a low-cost high-speed connection
between transceiver
6 and transceiver
16 that can efficiently operate
at distances of up to 100 meters. Link
22 enables the automatic downloading
of music from central storage system
12 to remote system
4, where
it may be played using player
7. Preferably the music is encoded in a format
such as MP3 so that the data is compressed although any formatting means is compatible
with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment the data transfer rate across
link
22 is approximately 50 Mbits/sec. One minute of music encoded in MP3
requires approximately 8 Mbits of storage. Therefore, a three-minute song requires
approximately 0.48 seconds for transfer and an hour's music requires approximately
10 secondsThree hours of music may be stored on a 180 Mbyte high-density storage
volume such as flash or compact hard disc.
Prior to transmission across link
22, music may be loaded onto central
storage system
12 and stored at memory
18 from a variety of sources
including CD player
20 and Internet connection
21. CPU
14
may encode the music (e.g., in MP3 format) before storage at memory
18.
For example, the music for a CD track may be obtained via Internet connection
21
from Web directories that store extensive libraries of CD's in MP3 format. Alternatively,
CPU
14 may transform music obtained from CD player
20 (or some other
digital or analog source) to MP3 format. Alternatively, CPU
14 may transcribe
Internet streaming audio program information such as that offered by KDFC or many
other sources.
Transceiver
16 operates to transmit MP3-formatted music data across
link
22 to remote system
4 for storage in memory
8. Music
stored in memory
8 may then be played in automobile
2 by means of
audio player
7, which is compatible with MP3-formatted music. Display
10
may include information pertaining to the source of the music (e.g., names of CD,
track and performer, or name of play list or type). Memory
8 (as well as
memory
18) may include a variety of storage media including high-density
disks and flash memory.
While a high speed link is implemented only from central storage system
12
to remote system
4 in one embodiment of the invention, the invention may
also include such a link from remote system
4 to central storage system
12. Then music received at remote system
4 from other sources (e.g.
FM radio transmission) may be MP3-encoded at CPU
5, stored at memory
8,
and transmitted across link
22 for storage at memory
18 when central
storage system
12 and remote system
4 are within the predetermined
distance ranges as discussed above.
Software processes executing on CPU
14 facilitate the encoding of
audio data as well as the queuing and formatting of data for transmission via transceiver
16 across link
22. Such software processes can be designed in many
ways known in the art in accordance with the teachings of this invention. Similarly,
software processes (or equivalent firmware) executing on CPU
5 also facilitate
the encoding of audio data as well as the queuing and formatting of data for transmission
via transceiver
6 across link
22.
One such software process executing on CPU
14 may be an agent process
that continuously collects music selections based upon a predetermined set of preferences
that are either entered explicitly by the user or learned by the software process
based upon the user's typical selections. Sources to be searched include music
formerly entered into memory
18 by the user, websites operated by new artists
wishing to showcase their work, fee-based subscription music services, streaming
audio sources, and radio or TV broadcast in FM or AM format. This type of agent
software has been applied to television systems as described by Nicholas Negroponte
in "Being Digital" (Vintage Books, 1996). Personal video recording systems utilizing
agent software have also been developed for example by TiVO, Inc. Operating such
an agent software process enables the construction of a personalized music collection
that is tailored to the interests of the owner. One output of such a system may
be "playlists" that are designed to appeal to different moods of the user (e.g.,
for the beach, commuting, or a long trip) or based upon different genres (e.g.,
classical, rap, rock, folk, or country). The agent software may include thresholds
that determine when a communication action will be carried out (e.g., when a threshold
number of programs have been added to the "playlist").
Transmission across link
22 may be initiated automatically. When
remote system
4 is within the range mentioned above, then remote system
4 may initiate transmission across link
22 so long as central storage
system
12 is operating or can be turned on. For example, an operator may
establish a file of MP3-formatted music on system
12. Then a transfer action
may be queued up upon prior command from either remote system
4 or central
system
12 so that when the automobile
2 is within range the transfer
commences. In a preferred embodiment, transceiver
16 has a separate power
source that is continuously on, and transceiver
16 powers up other components
of central storage system
12 when communication with transceiver
6
is established. (For example, Ethernet adapters are available where a host computer
will "wake up" upon receipt of a designated network-originated command.)
In the preferred embodiment, transceivers
6 and
16 continuously
monitor their common RF channel searching for the presence of signal strength adequate
to establish a robust RF link. Such signal strength is present when the transceivers
are sufficiently close to one another. When this link is established, software
running in transceiver
16 instructs the central system's power unit to power
up and commence a RF download process to remote transceiver
6.
The signal transmitted from transceiver
6 may include a request list that
includes identifiers for music or other programs to be transmitted. This request
list may be generated automatically or in a hands-free mode in automobile
2,
for example, by a voice-activated system. Then central system
12 operates
to include the requested items in data transmitted by transceiver
16. The
distance sufficiently close for transmission may vary according to the operating
frequencies used. Link
22 may have a relatively short range so that it may
be implemented relatively inexpensively using an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 2.4
GHz or one of three 5 GHz UNII bands). However, a substantially greater distance
is desirable so as to enhance the usefulness of the system. Such distances may
be enabled by the use of directional RF antennas that multiply the effective radiated
power significantly. Such antennas may be either of conventional passive construction
or of active construction, utilizing for example an array of phased elements.
Transceiver
6 and transceiver
16, which determine link
22, are available from conventional technology. For example, the Hyperlan
(High Performance Radio Local Area Network) standard can provide a preferred embodiment
of link
22 with a maximal data rate in the range of 20-54 Mbits/sec. ("HIPERLAN:
the high performance radio local area network standard", Hallis, G. A., Electronics
& Communications Engineering Journal, December 1994, pp. 289-296; "HiperLAN/2—The
Broadband Radio Transmission Technology Operating in the 5 GHz Frequency Band",
M. Johnsson, HiperLAN/2 Global Forum, 1999.) The preferred transmission frequency
bands are in the UNII band at approximately 5 GHz and the distances correspondingly
enabled by such frequency bands are from 10 to 100 M, depending upon the number
and construction of walls in the path of RF link
22.
RF link
22 provides a low-cost high-speed wireless link that may be used
to transmit a variety of data from central storage system
12 to remote system
4 in addition to audio data. Examples of data that may be sent from central
storage system
12 include: calendars and cell phone directories that may
be automatically downloaded and synchronized, video data for viewing by a monitor
in automobile, mapping data to update a automobile-mapping system in the automobile,
telephone conversations, Internet pages, e-mail data, and control data for the
automobile, including information related to starting the engine and checking the oil.
Likewise RF link
22 can also provide a low-cost high-speed wireless
link that may be used to transmit a variety of data from remote system
4
to central storage
12 in addition to audio data. Examples of data that may
be sent from remote system
4 include: video data captured by a camera in
automobile for viewing elsewhere, and control data for the house including information
related to appliances, such as starting a microwave oven or setting a VCR.
Additional embodiments of the present invention involve alternatives to
components within central storage system
12. For example, an enhanced PC
may include all functions of central storage system
12. Furthermore, with
the convergence of the functionalities of PC's and TV's, a TV with enhanced functionalities
in accordance with the invention could be substituted for central storage system
12. Additionally, a second automobile may include central storage system
12 so as to enable the transfer of data between automobiles, including but
not limited to musical data. Additionally, a portable music player or "boom box"
may be substituted for remote system
4, thereby enhancing the mobility of
the present invention.
In addition to a dwelling unit such as a home, central storage system
12
may be included in a commercial unit such as a gasoline filling station or a convenience
store. Then when remote system
4 is mounted in a vehicle that passes the
commercial unit, data including musical data may be transferred automatically possibly
with some incorporated payment option. A network of fixed units (including both
commercial units and dwelling units) may be used to dispense data to customers
in a seamless way across a highway system.
Although only certain embodiments of this invention have been described
in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible in the exemplary embodiment without materially departing from the
novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.
*
