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| United States Patent Application |
20120088546
|
| Kind Code
|
A1
|
|
WANG; TIEJUN Ronald
;   et al.
|
April 12, 2012
|
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING THE MULTIMEDIA INFORMATION
FROM WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Abstract
Video signals for a mobile terminal are converted to accommodate
reproduction by an alternative display terminal. The video signal is
processed to provide a converted video signal appropriate for an
alternative display terminal that is separate from the mobile terminal.
This converted video signal is then provided for the alternative display
terminal to accommodate the corresponding video display on a screen
provided by the alternative (e.g., external) display terminal.
| Inventors: |
WANG; TIEJUN Ronald; (La Jolla, CA)
; Halal; William E.; (Washington, DC)
; Wang; Tiehong Ann; (Arlington, VA)
; Wang; Ximing; (Beijing, CN)
|
| Assignee: |
SellerBid, Inc.
Arlington
VA
|
| Serial No.:
|
268001 |
| Series Code:
|
13
|
| Filed:
|
October 7, 2011 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
455/556.2; 455/556.1 |
| Class at Publication: |
455/556.2; 455/556.1 |
| International Class: |
H04W 88/02 20090101 H04W088/02 |
Claims
1. A method for processing signals to accommodate reproduction by an
alternative display terminal, the method comprising: receiving, by a
conversion device, a video signal appropriate for displaying a video
content on a mobile terminal, the video signal being sent from a wireless
network communication; processing, by the conversion device, the video
signal to produce a converted video signal for use by the alternative
display terminal, wherein processing by the conversion device includes
converting a signal format appropriate for the mobile terminal to a
display format for the alternative display terminal that is different
from the signal format, the display format being a high definition
digital format, such that the converted video signal produced by the
conversion device comprises the high definition digital format for output
to the alternative display terminal; and providing the converted video
signal from the conversion device to the alternative display terminal to
accommodate displaying the video content by the alternative display
terminal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is a cellular
phone.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is a personal
digital assistant.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the video signal, processing
the video signal to produce the converted video signal, and providing the
converted video signal to the alternative display terminal are performed
using power from a source that differs from the internal power supply of
the mobile terminal.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion device resides in a
housing of the alternative display terminal.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the video signal received by the
conversion device is part of a multimedia signal that is originally
received by the mobile terminal in a cellular network communication
before it is received by the conversion device from the mobile terminal.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network communication
includes a cellular network communication.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the high definition format of
the converted video signal from the conversion module to the alternative
display terminal is through a high definition multimedia interface
(HDMI).
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code for
operating a conversion device, the program code being executable to
perform operations comprising: receiving, by the conversion device, a
video signal appropriate for displaying a video content on a mobile
terminal, the video signal being sent from a wireless network
communication; processing, by the conversion device, the video signal to
produce a converted video signal for use by the alternative display
terminal, wherein processing by the conversion device includes converting
a signal format appropriate for the mobile terminal to a display format
for the alternative display terminal that is different from the signal
format, the display format being a high definition digital format, such
that the converted video signal produced by the conversion comprises the
high definition digital format for output to the alternative display
terminal; and providing the converted video signal from the conversion
device to the alternative display terminal to accommodate displaying the
video content by the alternative display terminal.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the mobile terminal
is a cellular phone.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the mobile terminal
is a personal digital assistant.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein receiving the video
signal, processing the video signal to produce the converted video
signal, and providing the converted video signal to the alternative
display terminal are performed using power from a source that differs
from the internal power supply of the mobile terminal.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the conversion
device resides in a housing of the alternative display terminal.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the video signal
received by the conversion device is part of a multimedia signal that is
originally received by the mobile terminal in a cellular network
communication before it is received by the conversion device from the
mobile terminal.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the wireless network
communication includes a cellular network communication.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the high definition
format of the converted video signal is a high definition multimedia
interface (HDMI) format, and providing the converted video signal from
the conversion device to the alternative display terminal is through an
HDMI interface.
17. An apparatus for converting video signals, the apparatus comprising:
an input interface for receiving a video signal appropriate for
displaying a video content on a mobile terminal, the video signal being
sent from a wireless network communication; a processing unit for
processing the video signal to produce a converted video signal for use
by the alternative display terminal, wherein the processing includes
converting a signal format appropriate for the mobile terminal to a
display format for the alternative display terminal that is different
from the signal format, the display format being a high definition
digital format, such that the converted video signal produced by the
processing unit comprises the high definition digital format for output
to the alternative display terminal; and an output interface for
providing the converted video signal to the alternative display terminal
to accommodate displaying the video content by the alternative display
terminal.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mobile terminal is a cellular
phone.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mobile terminal is a personal
digital assistant.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for providing
power to provide power for receiving the video signal, processing the
video to produce the converted video signal, and providing the converted
video signal to the alternative display terminal.
21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the video signal received by the
processing unit is part of a multimedia signal that is originally
received by the mobile terminal in a cellular network communication
before it is received by the processing unit from the mobile terminal.
22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless network communication
includes a cellular network communication.
23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein providing the converted video
signal from the processing unit to the alternative display terminal is
through an high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion device resides in the
mobile terminal.
25. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the conversion
device resides in the mobile terminal.
26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing unit resides in the
mobile terminal.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion device includes the
mobile terminal and an intermediary between the mobile terminal and the
alternative display terminal.
28. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the conversion
device includes the mobile terminal and an intermediary between the
mobile terminal and the alternative display terminal.
29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus comprises multiple
hardware components for carrying out said processing of the video signal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
12/929,408, filed on Jan. 21, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/165,341, filed on Jun. 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,899,492, issued Mar. 1, 2011 and entitled "Mobile Terminal Signal
Conversion for External Display," which claims the benefit of provisional
application Ser. No. 60/588,358, filed on Jul. 16, 2004 and entitled "A
Method and System for Displaying the Multimedia Information from Wireless
Communications or Portable IT Devices." The entire contents of these
applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to mobile terminals 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., 2.times.3'') and capability of the mobile terminal screen may
render enjoyment of the high rate data flow applications inconvenient,
and in some instances useless. One consequence 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
programming 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 limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the multimedia 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 transportation 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 receiving a video signal that
accommodates a video display on a first 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 accommodate the corresponding video display
on a screen provided 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 specific features of the present
invention are more fully disclosed in the following specification,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system
in which mobile terminal signal conversion 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 accordance 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 flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process
including mobile terminal signal conversion in accordance with the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a
system in which mobile terminal signal conversion 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 invention.
[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 explanation, numerous
details are set forth, such as flowcharts and system configurations, 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 specific 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 invention.
[0025] Mobile terminal signal conversion accommodates displaying the high
rate data flow multimedia information available in a wireless
communication environment in an external device. This accommodates true
realization and enjoyment of the benefits 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 relatively small screen size and low quality ear
phones,
for many applications the mobile terminal cannot adequately reproduce 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 transmission 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 conventional 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 limited 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 flow diagram of FIG. 4.
[0031] The MTSCM 112 processes signals to accommodate reproduction by an
external device. Specifically, 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 configured 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 connection is a seat that directly
interfaces the two without a cable. A wireless 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 limited 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.
[0035] As used herein, mobile terminal refers to typically handheld mobile
devices such as cellular phones and personal 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, firmware, 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 illustrates 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
figure.
[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,
configured for inclusion in a mobile terminal, dedicated separate signal
conversion device, or external display terminal, and to provide the
described mobile terminal signal conversion functionality.
[0040] The MTSCM 200 includes a mobile terminal interface module 202, a
signal conversion module 204, and an external device interface module
206.
[0041] The mobile terminal interface module 202 accommodates receiving the
multimedia signal from the mobile terminal. A conventional physical
interface provides a connection between the MTSCM 200 and the mobile
terminal through which the signals flow to the MTSCM 200. The mobile
terminal interface module 202 recognizes the multimedia signal and stores
the signal for processing by the remaining modules. Buffering and the
like may be implemented to accommodate storage and signal processing, as
described further below.
[0042] The signal conversion module 204 is in communication 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 communication 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 illustrated, 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 teachings 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 configured 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 format may of course vary, but
currently the most likely format is MPEG-1 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 buffers 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 provided 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-1,
MPEG-2, MPEG-4). The Video Compress Decoder 304a is configured to include
the appropriate compression/decompression (CODEC) module to accommodate
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 Compress Decoder 304a
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 buffer requirement for the MTSCM
300.
[0048] The Video Compress Decoder 304a outputs a decompressed digital
multimedia signal that is passed to the Digital/Analog Video Encoder
(DAVE) 304b and/or the Digital/Digital Video Encoder (DDVE) 304c. The
DAVE 304b is configured to prepare signals for analog external display
terminals 320, and the DDVE 304c is configured to prepare signals for
digital external display terminals 322. The DAVE 304b and DDVE 304c
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 terminals 320 include
S-video, RGBHV, RGBS, and EIA770.3 as illustrated. Similarly, the DDVE
304c provides output using standards such as DVI, DVI-D, HDMI, and
IEEE1394. The signals respectively provided by the DAVE 304b and DDVE
304c are provided to the terminals through conventional interfaces
306a-b. The DAVE 304b functionality may be embodied as a video card that
is configured accordingly. Examples of video cards that may be configured
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 particular 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 D/A converter. This converted analog signal is quantified 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 respective connections to the other devices to provide a
system configuration that includes the three pieces of hardware (mobile
terminal, conversion box, external display terminal). This configuration
provides the flexibility 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
manufacturers. A possible drawback to this configuration 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 providers 502a,b network 504
and base station 506 for delivering 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 modification 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 connected directly to
the external display terminal 614. However, 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 modification, other than provision of an output interface. A
potential drawback of this configuration is that it adds a component 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 applications 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 signal 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 applications 714 where
a larger screen and potentially superior audio may be enjoyed include
video conference, HDTV, games, GPS, and video on demand. Additionally,
embodiments of the present invention will accommodate enjoyment of full
multimedia capability in locations 716 including 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 produce and provide
mobile terminal signal conversion. Although the present invention has
been described in considerable detail with reference to certain
embodiments thereof, the invention may be variously embodied without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the
following claims should not be limited to the description of the
embodiments contained herein in any way.
* * * * *