CN112929737B - Method and apparatus for cross-layer optimization in multimedia communications with different user terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for cross-layer optimization in multimedia communications with different user terminals. A method for bidirectionally converting content and routing it to different devices includes: receiving first multimedia content originating from a first device located outside a home location and having a second device located at the home location as a destination; converting the first multimedia content so that it can be played by the second device, and routing the converted first multimedia content to the second device; receiving second multimedia content originating from a third device located at the home location and having a fourth device located outside the home location as a destination; and converting the second multimedia content so that it can be played by a fourth device, and routing the converted second multimedia content to the fourth device. Various optimizations for the delivery of multimedia content on different channels are provided to multiple user terminals simultaneously.

Description

Method and device for cross-layer optimization in multimedia communication with different user terminals

Citation of Related Applications

This application is a divisional application of invention patent application 1 with application number 201910440533.4, which is a divisional application of invention patent application 2 with application number 201810005772.2, which is a divisional application of invention patent application 3 with application number 201410175959.9, which is a divisional application of invention patent application 4 with application number 200810008996.5, and the application dates of invention patent application 1, invention patent application 2, invention patent application 3 and invention patent application 4 are all February 2, 2008, and the names of the inventions are all “Method and device for cross-layer optimization in multimedia communications with different user terminals”.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to providing multimedia content, and more particularly to providing multimedia content to and from a variety of different devices.

Background technique

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 11/501,747, filed on August 10, 2006, entitled "System and Method for providing Locally Applicable Internet Content with Secure Action Requests and ItemCondition Alerts," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/787,510, filed on March 31, 2006, entitled "An Intelligent Kiosk for Mobile Payment," and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/707,561, filed on August 12, 2005, entitled "A Novel Structure of Cellular System for Internet Access." The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

This application is also a U.S. continuation-in-part application serial number 11/165,341, entitled "Methods, Systems, and Apparatus for Displaying the Multimedia Information from Wireless Communication Networks", filed on June 24, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/588,358, entitled "A Method and System for Displaying the Multimedia Information from Wireless Communications or Portable IT", filed on July 16, 2004. The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

This application is also a U.S. continuation-in-part application serial number 11/540,637, entitled "A Method and System for Improving Client Server Transmission over Fading Channel with Wireless Location and Authentication Technology via Electromagnetic Radiation," filed on October 2, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial Nos. 60/722,444, filed on October 3, 2005, 60/787,510, filed on March 31, 2006, and 60/832,962, filed on July 25, 2006. The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

Description of Related Technology

Driven by the next generation of wireless technology, cellular networks are able to provide users with access to information from the Internet, such as video on demand, video conferencing, databases, etc. The use of cellular phones is therefore no longer limited to voice transmission.

However, there are still some problems with delivering Internet content via cellular phones. For example, even with advanced cellular systems providing high bandwidth connections, there are still bottlenecks between the Internet and the cellular network (CN), as well as delays caused by the Internet itself. This situation hinders the ability of cellular phone users to fully utilize the capabilities of advanced CNs. Because smooth and efficient data flow is important to users, this bottleneck hinders the use of cellular phones for Internet access.

Generating payment requests is another area of need. While more and more individuals have become accustomed to purchasing goods and services online, there is still no sophisticated and consistent mechanism for securely generating requests for such payments.

Yet another area of need relates to alerts. Locations including homes, offices, and other environments often include computing devices and at least some form of network connection. Despite such connectivity, there are certain situations where appropriate alerts are still not available. For example, billions of children wear diapers, and about a quarter of them may suffer from a wet diaper at any given time because the caregiver (e.g., parent, babysitter, etc.) is not informed of the child's diaper status in real time.

Therefore, there is a need for such a system and corresponding apparatus and process that eliminates the shortcomings of existing networks for delivering Internet content by using CN. There is also a need for a system and corresponding technology for generating payment requests. There is also a need for such a system and corresponding technology for delivering alerts to individuals such as caregivers who are caring for children wearing diapers.

The execution platform and functions of handheld mobile terminals (such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs)) are developing rapidly. We believe that most of the functions provided by personal computers (such as desktops or notebooks) will eventually be realized by handheld mobile terminals, which will enable users to transmit and use multimedia information at any time and any place.

For example, one of the most requested benefits of next generation and more advanced wireless communication systems (i.e., 3G, 4G, etc.) is the ability to support high-rate multimedia data services in addition to conventional voice services. In conventional cellular systems, mobile terminals communicate with base stations wirelessly. Multimedia information is sent by different service providers and received for display on the screen of the mobile terminal, including but not limited to television signals, 3D images, online games, and video calls. The end result of such a system is that a small screen such as a cellular phone (etc.) can display rich multimedia information.

In these and similar systems, mobile terminals are used as multimedia terminals to display multimedia information (including high-definition graphics and high-quality real-time audio/video information) transmitted from high-data-rate wireless communication networks. However, the limited size (e.g., 2*3 inches) and functions of mobile terminal screens may inconvenience users from enjoying such high-rate data streaming applications, and sometimes even make them unusable. The consequence of this deficiency is likely to be a contraction in the potential market size of handheld mobile terminals. In fact, some people even point out that the development of high-data-rate systems such as 3G systems may not make sense at all because of the limitations of small screens.

Some mobile units can provide remote control functions for external display systems. However, these mobile units cannot solve the problem of small screens mentioned above. That is, they cannot make the visual content and other multimedia information suitable for playing on a large external display screen achieve similar effects on the mobile terminal display screen.

For example, adding an application interface of program guide information to a mobile terminal can turn it into a remote control for a television set. This is useful for allowing local viewing of the program guide when the current program is displayed on a large screen, but it cannot solve the above-mentioned small screen problem.

Another problem is the variety of different devices that users must use in communication, as well as the variety of different carriers for enjoying the content that users now have. Typically, users no longer just watch TV. Instead, users can use their home computers, TVs, MP3s, PDAs, cell phones, or various hybrid devices to enjoy content. In addition, this content comes from a variety of sources, not just broadcast TV as in the past. Although it is desirable to have more choices, some consumers may feel overwhelmed by trying to manage everything.

What is needed is a solution to the problem of reduced user enjoyment of the various devices and the corresponding content that the user can enjoy due to the complexity of trying to manage content and interfacing with a variety of different devices that are not necessarily compatible.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for multimedia communication with different user terminals, so as to achieve simultaneous, dynamic and effective delivery of multimedia information to multiple user terminals.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method of directing a television display from a mobile terminal such as a cellular telephone. This may require receiving video content originating from the mobile terminal over a cellular communication channel, confirming that the video content has the television as a display destination, configuring the video content for display on the television, and upon confirming that the received video content originates from the mobile terminal and has the television as a display destination, directing the television to display the video content on a predetermined adjustable channel. Additionally, the communication between the mobile terminal and the television may be bidirectional.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of converting and routing content to a device employing a different communication protocol. This may include receiving multimedia content from outside a home location and destined for a destination device located at the home location, determining a communication protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device, converting first multimedia content for reproduction by the destination device according to the determined signal format, and routing the converted multimedia content to the destination device using the determined address and communication protocol. According to one embodiment of the present invention, multiple user terminals may be served simultaneously.

According to another aspect, bidirectional conversion of content and routing to different devices is provided. This can be achieved by receiving first multimedia content originating from a first device located outside the home location and having a second device located at the home location as a destination, converting the first multimedia content for reproduction by the second device, and routing the converted first multimedia content to the second device, receiving second multimedia content originating from a third device located within the home location and having a fourth device located outside the home location as a destination, and converting the second multimedia content for reproduction by the fourth device, and routing the converted second multimedia content to the fourth device. The third device can also be the second device, and the fourth device can also be the first device.

According to another aspect, remote reception and fulfillment of multimedia content requests for multiple content sources is provided. This can satisfy: receiving a request for access to first multimedia content and second multimedia content, wherein the request is received via cellular communication when a user initiates the request using a mobile terminal, identifying a first source corresponding to the first multimedia content and a second source corresponding to the second multimedia content, wherein the first source and the second source implement different communication protocols, initiating communication with the first source and the second source respectively using different communication protocols to satisfy the request for access to the first multimedia content and the second multimedia content, receiving the first multimedia content and the second multimedia content from the first source and the second source; and converting the first multimedia content and the second multimedia content for reproduction by a destination device, and routing the converted multimedia content to the destination device.

According to another aspect, a method for optimizing the delivery of content commonly requested by multiple users at a specific location is provided. This can satisfy: monitoring network content requested by users corresponding to the specific location, receiving a request for content from a given user at the specific location, where the content is usually served from a location outside the specific location, determining that the content is locally applicable (where the content is also requested by other users at the specific location and converted for these users), and using a server that is logically close to the user at the specific location to simultaneously serve the content to the given user at the specific location and other users, thereby replacing the content being served to the given user and other users from locations outside the specific location separately.

The present invention can be implemented 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

These and other detailed and specific features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for optimizing the delivery of Internet content to users.

2 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process for determining locally applicable content for optimizing content delivery.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a system for facilitating the secure receipt and fulfillment of action requests, such as billing deliveries.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an action request process.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing item status updates.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for receiving and delivering status updates for multiple items.

7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for providing diaper status updates.

8 is a block and event diagram illustrating the provision of locally applicable Internet content associated with a status update to a user, and the secure receipt and satisfaction of action requests associated with the status update.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system in which mobile terminal signal conversion may reside.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a signal conversion module of a mobile terminal.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a signal conversion module of a mobile terminal.

12 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process including mobile terminal signal conversion.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a system in which mobile terminal signal conversion may reside.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a system in which mobile terminal signal conversion may reside.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a mobile terminal signal conversion application.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system for multimedia communications of different user terminals.

17 is a flow chart illustrating an example of instructing a television to display content using a signal received from a remote location via a cellular communications network.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating an example of converting and routing multimedia content to different terminals.

19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of bi-directional operations involving the delivery and routing of multimedia content into a residence and the delivery and routing of multimedia content out of a residence.

20 is a flow chart illustrating an example of receiving and implementing fulfillment of multimedia content requests corresponding to different sources.

Detailed ways

In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, many details are set forth, such as flow charts and system configurations, in order to provide an understanding of one or more embodiments of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not necessary to practice the present invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, a cellular user associated with a determined location requests and accesses Internet content. The provision of Internet content is customized according to location and is provided in a series of locally customized networks. A given local network includes servers that are configured to include content appropriate for its location. Delivery of content is accomplished through a local base station from the particular local network so configured to the user's cellular phone.

For example, when a cellular user is detected approaching the Hollywood area, information about Hollywood can be accessed through one or more cellular network base stations in the Hollywood area. These base stations deliver Internet content related to the area, such as websites about movies and movie stars. The Internet content is stored in servers that can be easily accessed by base stations covering the area to provide faster and more efficient transmission to cellular users in the service area.

By optimizing the location of Internet content for wireless network users, the present invention enables optimal data flow for cellular users to access a wide variety of rich information and data from the Internet.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 configured to provide Internet content delivery according to the present invention. The basic elements of the system 100 are a user equipment (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) 120, a core cellular network (CCN) 130, an external network (EN) 140, and a local subscription network (LCN) 150.

UE 110 is a cellular telephone configured to communicate with one or more base stations of RAN 120. Although UE 110 is preferably a cellular telephone, it should be understood that various devices may be equipped with the same communication functions. Other examples of UE 110 include a personal digital assistant (PDA), a set-top box, an information station, or any personal computing device configured with wireless communication capabilities.

RAN 120 and CCN 130 preferably implement conventional elements of a cellular network and are further described below. RAN 120 includes base stations and radio network controller (RNC) elements. The base stations provide resource management and provide an interface for switching data flows between UE 110 and RNC. RNC controls the radio resources of the base stations to which it is connected and also manages connections to UE 110.

The CCN 130 is connected to the EN 140. The most important examples of the EN 140 can be divided into two types: Circuit Switched (CS) 142 networks and Packet Switched (PS) 144 networks. The CS 142 networks provide circuit switched connections for circuit switched services, such as telephone communications and ISDN. The PS 144 networks provide connections for packet data services. The Internet is a very important and well-known application of the PS networks.

CCN 130 includes MSC/VLR, GMSC, HLR, SGSN and GGSN elements. HLR (Home Location Register) is a database that stores information such as user service profile. Service profile includes information including allowed services, roaming areas, forwarding numbers, etc. HLR stores UE 110 location to facilitate routing calls and other information to UE 110.

MSC/VLR (Mobile Services Switching Center and Visitor Location Register) provide switching operations and databases for circuit switched (CS) services to UEs at their current location, respectively. VLR stores the user's service profile, as well as more precise information about the UE's location, in the service system. CS connections go through the GMSC (Gateway MSC), which is a switch located at the connection point to the external CS network.

The SGSN (Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node) functions similarly to the MSC/VLR, but is often used for Packet Switched (PS) services. PS connections pass through the GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node).

LCN 150 includes one or more computing devices configured to include memory, processing capabilities, and interfaces to provide the functionality described herein. LCN 150 includes a local server configured to provide customized Internet content. LCN 150 is also configured to include a content access monitoring module that monitors Internet access and determines content suitable for a specified location of LCN 150.

LCN 150 thus performs monitoring and caching related to locally applicable content. With respect to the monitoring function, monitoring includes local access, which determines which content is accessed by users at that location. With respect to the caching function, LCN 150 maintains a cache of locally applicable Internet content, which includes refreshing to add new content and removing stale content as determined by information derived from the monitoring function.

A technique for determining whether content is locally applicable is to measure access frequency. If many users at that location decide to access specific Internet content, then that specific Internet content is determined to be locally applicable and is included in the cache during the next update.

In addition to monitoring and caching locally applicable content, LCN 150 is configured to be logically close to the base station (one or more) of the cellular network located in a specific location. In one example, logical proximity is achieved by making LCN 150 physically close to the relevant one or more base stations (e.g., base stations in the same geographic area). For example, LCN 150 can be located in a large metropolitan area or in an area covering a certain zip code (one or more) of a large metropolitan area. Alternatively, logical proximity can be achieved without physical proximity. For example, this can be achieved by providing dedicated resources including high-bandwidth connections between LCN 150 and local users. In this example, LCN 150 is configured to deliver locally applicable content more efficiently and quickly due to dedicated resources without physical proximity.

According to another aspect, to further improve efficiency, locally applicable content for a given LCN is organized in a hierarchical structure. The content of the first layer is considered to be the content with the highest local applicability. Additional layers are also provided based on the first layer, with successive layers gradually covering larger geographical areas (i.e., gradually covering a larger number of base stations). According to one aspect, the hierarchy involves communication with adjacent LCNs covering an increased area to determine local content applicable to additional levels. Therefore, for example, the first layer corresponds to locally applicable content located at a first level of granularity (e.g., as monitored/determined only for LCNs or small local LCN groups), the second layer corresponds to locally applicable content located at a second level of granularity (e.g., the logical "and" or intersection of frequently visited content within a larger area determined by monitoring visits to several LCNs in a defined larger area), and so on.

The operation of the system for updating the LCN is therefore described with reference to both the flow charts of Figures 1 and 2. The process begins by monitoring the Internet content accessed by users at the current location 202. This is accomplished by monitoring the gateway connected between the CCN 140 and PS 144 networks to track the Internet content accessed by cellular users.

It should be noted that monitored content can have two beneficial uses. One is to regulate the delivery of locally applicable content, which can be determined by the frequency of access to a given location. Another is to allow providers of content (e.g., merchants or other commercial entities) to receive indications of which content is locally applicable. This allows providers of content to help or further participate in determining what is locally applicable. For example, a merchant who is provided with an indication of the local suitability of certain content may wish to enable advertising, coupons, etc. to be available to users in that range.

In conjunction with this monitoring 202, a determination is made 204 of the base station(s) from which the Internet content is being requested. This may be performed by checking the VLR and HLR to discover the base station through which the Internet content request is being sent. It should be noted that base station discovery is only one way in which the physical location may be determined. Other examples include, but are not limited to, using GPS, zip code, phone number, and IP address information to make the determination.

The next step includes determining 206 locally applicable content based on monitoring 202 the base station(s) and determining 204 the base station(s). The determination of local applicability is performed by determining the frequency of access. Alternatively, local applicability can be determined by comparing the location of the requesting user (base station) to the location identified as being associated with the requested content.

Then, for the current (e.g., first) tier, the content is loaded 208 in servers that are logically close to users at a given location. This can be accomplished by arranging the current (e.g., first) tier server(s) loaded with Internet content and/or other information/data to achieve optimal and faster data transfer for cellular users accessing data stored in the servers through base stations. For example, the servers can be logically placed close to base stations through which cellular users access data stored in one or more servers.

This process is repeated through multiple layers as required. If it is determined 210 that additional layers are to be updated, then steps 202-208 are performed to load the next 212 (e.g., second) layer of servers (one or more) with locally applicable content. As described, as layers are added, this preferably requires a wider geographic area. The process continues until it is determined 210 that no more layers need to be determined and loaded. The number of layers in a given system will vary according to the application and according to requirements. Layering often involves a trade-off between maximizing the content available locally and the processing resources required to generate and manage layers for increasingly wider areas.

Content stored in one or more base stations may be refreshed according to any desired schedule or trigger 214. For a refresh operation, the process described above is repeated, starting again with layer 1. Stale content or content that is otherwise determined to no longer be locally applicable may be removed, and of course new content may be added during a refresh cycle.

Additional servers can be added vertically and/or horizontally as required. Vertically means that servers can be added at a given physical location to cover the first, second, third, etc. tiers. Horizontally means adding different groups of servers corresponding to different locations (i.e., one group for the first tier, a second group for the second tier, etc.).

A regular schedule or a certain amount of activity can be used to trigger the refresh of the tiers. The Internet content in the LCN 150 server is modified based on the discovered content that is updated in response to requests for Internet content sent from the base stations. The Internet content stored in the server is refreshed at appropriate times, such as when the server is not overwhelmed by users accessing the content.

The server is thus loaded with information for broadcast and/or multicast and/or any data to be accessed by cellular users to achieve optimal delivery to users in the service area.

The locally adapted content can be sent and delivered to the user as required.Examples of communication paths for sending locally adapted Internet content include a relatively direct path through the RAN 120, a path through the CCN 130 and then through the RAN 120, or others.

Various techniques may be used in conjunction with a UE 110 (or other device) user's request for Internet content to implement locally applicable content cached by LCN 150. In one example, a UE 110 request for Internet content prompts an initial check for content in locally applicable content, followed by conventional Internet access if the content proves to be content that is missing from the currently cached locally applicable content. Additionally, in accordance with the tiered approach described above, a first attempt may be made to satisfy the request from a first tier, followed by a second tier, and so on. The number of tiers searched in response to a particular request may vary as desired. When the number of tiers specified to be searched for the current request is exhausted, conventional Internet access is used to retrieve content associated with the request.

Various cache management and network optimization techniques can be used to manage locally applicable content. For example, fully associative (FA), direct mapped (DM), and set associative (SA) mechanisms are examples of techniques that can be used to determine where specific content can be stored on the server. In addition, techniques for ensuring block validity and for managing cache hits and misses can also be used. Random, LRU (least recently used), and FIFO (first in, first out) block replacement schemes are those that can be used to manage blocks in the cache.

According to another aspect, the present invention facilitates a system solution for mobile payment (or the transfer of other information and the receipt of information such as alarms). Preferably, this aspect of the invention implements cellular networks, wireless personal area networks (WPANs), and wireless identification technologies. Various technologies can be used for these components, including but not limited to 3G technologies for cellular networks; Zigbee, Bluetooth, or UWB technologies for WPANs; and RFID (e.g., NFC) for wireless identification technologies.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system 300 implementing this aspect of the invention. System 300 includes user equipment (eg, cell phone, PDA, etc.) 310 and wireless HUB 320, which are connected to server 330 via network 340 (eg, the Internet).

Wireless HUB (WHUB) 320 can be located in a public or private location. For a public location, WHUB 320 is preferably placed in an information station. The information station can be located on the street, or an airport, a large shopping center or any location that is easily perceived and may include user traffic. For a private location, WHUB 320 is preferably configured to use in a location such as a residence or a hotel room. In these environments, WHUB 320 can be provided in a smaller device, such as a part of a set-top box (STB).

The handset 310 is equipped with a tag that provides a unique identifier that can be wirelessly communicated to the WHUB 320. The preferred tag is a near field communication (NFC) tag 312. NFC provides short-range wireless connectivity that uses magnetic field induction to enable communication between devices. It has a short range of a few centimeters, which is considered to be advantageous for application in this aspect of the invention. Although NFC is preferred, RFID or other alternatives may also be provided. The handset 310 also includes a WPAN transceiver 314 that allows an additional communication channel between the handset and the WHUB 320.

Similarly, wireless WHUB 320 is equipped with NFC reader 322, WPAN transceiver 324 and network adapter 326. NFC technology provides safe and automatic verification and data exchange between NFC tags and NFC readers. According to this aspect of the invention, NFC is uniquely associated with other information that allows appropriate actions (payment, alarm, etc.) to occur. For example, where the system is used to provide mobile payments, RFID tags are associated with user's bank accounts. In addition, once the device is verified by a unique identifier, a second secure communication channel with more capabilities is established between handset 310 and WHUB 320. This allows action requests and related communications to be reliably transmitted between two devices.

Thus, once NFC-based authentication is complete, a secure wireless connection between handset 310 and WHUB 320 is established. This communication enables WPAN transceivers, which have higher data rates and longer operating ranges than NFC. Secure communication allows the exchange of additional information related to the action to be sent between handset 310 and WHUB 320, such as price and credit card information for a purchase request and a corresponding payment scheme. Secure communication can be implemented by hardware (e.g., a dedicated hardware chipset) and software (e.g., a data encryption algorithm).

The WHUB 320 may also be able to exchange data with other WPAN devices 350. It may be beneficial for the WHUB 320 to communicate with these devices 340 to exchange information related to the action. For example, the WHUB 320 may collect water consumption information from a water meter equipped with the WPAN device 340 functionality. The data may be stored locally by the WHUB 320 or may be transmitted to an appropriate server 330 via a network connection 350. The collection of data by the WHUB 320 need not necessarily occur simultaneously with the action requested by the user. For example, the acquisition and transmission of water consumption information may occur periodically, separate from the user's request to make a corresponding payment.

It should also be noted that WHUB 320 may optionally be configured with wireless communication capabilities, such as those provided in cellular telephones. WHUB 320 may thus be configured to work with the system for delivering locally applicable Internet content as described above in conjunction with FIGS.

Figure 4 further illustrates and provides an example of a payment process 400 in accordance with this aspect of the invention. The process 400 begins with a verification 402 process that provides for identification and recognition of a handset via an NFC tag through the wireless WHUB.

Communication via a separate secure communication channel (e.g., WPAN) is then established. WPAN functionality is used to communicate between the handset and the WHUB so that content associated with the requested action can be securely exchanged. In this example, the requested action is a purchase request 404.

It should be noted that actions may or may not be immediately followed by verification 402. For example, a cell phone may be configured to include a browsing capability that allows the cell phone's interface to be used to view items prior to placing a purchase request.

Various types of purchases can be made using purchase requests. Examples can include tangible items that are shipped individually to a certain address, content that can be downloaded immediately to (possibly) a cell phone, services, and so on.

Internet content can be accessed by the cell phone in conjunction with an action request. An example of providing content to a cell phone can be locally adapted Internet content as described above in conjunction with Figures 1-2. Furthermore, the cell phone can access Internet content through channels other than through the WHUB.

Also note that a purchase request is only one form of action that can be performed. Actions include, but are not limited to, billing, refilling an account with funds, online shopping transactions, and the like.

The process of verification can be based on a tag ID and password. The tag ID and password are sent 406 to a verification server, which then returns a notification 408 confirming the verification. Preferably, the verification indicates whether the individual is who he or she claims to be, but questions the individual's access rights. The verification server can reside inside or outside the WHUB.

Depending on the needs, additional information associated with the requested action may also be required. For example, the external server may require account identification information or a password for accessing an online account. In these cases, the external server sends a request to the WHUB to request the information. The WHUB can store such information and respond to such requests. Alternatively, the WHUB can further exchange information with the user (via the handset) in order to obtain the additional information requested by the external server.

Along with the purchase request 404, a payment request 410 is issued between the WHUB and the external server via a network connection. The payment request 410 allows the user to complete the transaction associated with the purchase request 404. To complete the payment request, the server communicates with the payment gateway, followed by a resolution 412 indicating whether the payment request was successful or failed.

When a successful payment request is indicated, the WHUB receives 414 a receipt or confirmation number associated with the requested action from the external server and transmits 416 and/or related information to the handset to confirm the completion of the action. This may be a receipt, confirmation number, coupon code, etc.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides wireless management of task-responsive alarms. One such task is diaper management, which will be described in detail below.

This aspect of the invention provides task management based on the wireless delivery of alerts to overcome the problem of estimating when anything needs to be completed. These tasks based on alerts include but are not limited to diaper management. For example, residential security monitoring can also be provided.

FIG5 illustrates an example of a diaper management system 500 according to the present invention. The diaper management system 500 includes a diaper condition sensing module 510 and a central receiver/controller (CRC) 520. The CRC 520 operates on a conventional processing platform and is configured to wirelessly communicate with the diaper condition sensing module 510. The CRC 520 also includes a network interface. The wireless and/or network interface enables the transmission of appropriate alerts to the caregiver.

The diaper condition sensing module 510 includes a sensor 512 and a transmitter 514. The sensor 512 is configured to monitor one or more of the following conditions, the results of which indicate whether the diaper is wet or not:

1. Diaper weight - urine or feces makes the diaper heavier than a dry, clean diaper;

2. Urine conductivity;

3. Urine chemistry - volatile gases including volatile acids or ammonia, pH, amylase, ketone bodies and/or urobilinogen can all be detected and analyzed to determine the presence or absence of urine;

4. Feces: solid waste; bilirubin, or stercobilinogen, in feces; specific food decomposition substances including starch, fat, plant fiber, muscle fiber, etc.; and/or

5. Any other elements, features, characteristics and reflections that are not desirable on baby diapers.

Sensor 512 causes transmitter 514 to establish a wireless communication channel between itself and CRC 520. Transmitter 514 sends a signal to notify CRC 520 that the diaper is wet. The wireless communication channel preferably uses wireless technology such as UWB, Bluetooth, RFID, spread spectrum communication, or other conventional wireless communication technology.

Each sensor 512 preferably has a unique ID. Multiple access mechanisms such as TDMA, CDMA, FDMA or other conventional methods can also be applied to allow a central receiver to communicate with multiple sensors located at the same source. Given the competing demands of operating range, data rate and cost, it is believed that Zigbee/Bluetooth may be beneficial for many applications.

After the CRC 520 receives the signal, the receiver triggers an audio, light, text and/or other indication of the diaper status. These indications can be displayed, broadcast, reflected, etc. in various ways through a speaker, phone, pager, alarm, computer, etc. to notify the caregiver(s) so that they can improve the status.

The diaper condition sensing module 510 can be provided in different ways. One example uses a probe connected to the diaper that measures against the desired criteria as described above and shown in FIG. 5 .

Another example provides a diaper condition sensing module 510 in a diaper. In this example, the sensor 512 also includes an interface (detector) for measuring the desired standard within the range of the diaper. The transmitter 514 can use various communication technologies as described above. For RFID embodiments, when the diaper condition (e.g., wet) is detected by the sensor, the function can be provided by converting the loop of the RFID tag of the RFID tag from an open loop to a closed loop, which automatically causes the ID tag to be sensed by the tag reader of the CRC.

Furthermore, in this example, the diaper condition sensing module 510 can be placed inside the diaper and can be reused. The diaper can be configured with a small bag or the like to allow the diaper condition sensing module 510 to be placed. In another option, the diaper condition sensing module 510 is manufactured and sold as an essential component of each diaper so that the caregiver does not have to worry about the placement of the module 510 every time the diaper is changed.

In addition to helping caregivers in terms of individual children's diapers, diaper management systems can be configured to manage a group of children's diapers, such as preschools or daycare facilities where many children may wear diapers. The example of such a system 600 is shown in Fig. 6. CRC 620 is configured to distinguish between children who need new diapers and children who do not need new diapers, and sends messages to appropriate caregivers respectively. In order to achieve this function, CRC 620 is equipped with a database, and the database associates the unique identifier corresponding to each diaper condition sensing module 610a-g with at least one contact party. Replaceable communication paths (voice, email, etc.), multiple contacts (caregiver#_1, caregiver#_2), and various other information can be associated to a given diaper condition sensing module 610a-i in the database.

In addition to providing status alerts about the condition of the diaper, the CRC 620 also determines the location of the diaper using wireless positioning techniques including, but not limited to, angle of arrival, time of arrival, and received signal strength indication. This also enables the provision of information to designated caregivers about the location of children whose diapers are soiled.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process 700 for sending a caregiver alarm according to a diaper condition according to the present invention. The process 700 begins with a DCSM sensor monitoring 702 a diaper condition. When the diaper condition changes, for example, when it is wet, the DCSM sensor detects an updated diaper condition. When this occurs, the DCSM transmitter sends 704 a diaper condition update to the CRC. The CRC receives 706 the update and the corresponding indication. Many conditions can be updated, so the DCSM and CRC are configured to transmit these conditions. Once provided with an update, the CRC proceeds to estimate the position of the (e.g., wet) diaper. The DCSM sends an ID corresponding to the update, which identifies the diaper/child. The CRC queries its database and thus matches 708 the ID corresponding to the update to trim the caregiver alarm (one or more). In this way, these alarms are then sent 710 to the caregiver (one or more).

In the case where multiple children/diapers are monitored, the alarm provided by CRC can be transmitted to a PC with a display screen, and the display screen has a map of one or more rooms and an estimated location of wet diapers. The alarm provided by other CRCs can only notify one or more auxiliary caregivers about the diaper status, without notifying the location, so that one or more auxiliary caregivers can be informed of the status. CRC can also poll the DCSM after a given period of time to ensure that the diaper status has been updated. CRC can be configured using configuration settings, which allow caregivers to specify when and how they should be updated. For example, if a caregiver is a babysitter who takes care of children, when the child's parents go out, the parent can configure CRC to not send an alarm to them when the diaper is initially detected to be wet, until a certain period of time has passed. In contrast, the babysitter alarm can be provided immediately. If a certain period of time has passed and the diaper is still wet, CRC can therefore notify the parent of the diaper status, so that the parent will realize that the diaper has not been changed.

8 is a block and event diagram illustrating an example of a system 800 that implements several aspects of the present invention as described above. The system 800 includes a UE 802, a WHUB 804, an authentication server 806, a base station (one or more) 808, an LCN server (one or more), 810, and a DCSM 812, which respectively provide the functions described above for the components with the same names.

Local merchant server(s) 814 are also shown. As described in connection with the provision of locally applicable Internet content, the merchant is informed of the local applicability of the content, such as determined by the frequency of visits by users in a particular location corresponding to a given base station(s). WHUB 804, in addition to being configured to facilitate the secure receipt and execution of actions (purchase requests and corresponding payment requests), also includes CRC functionality that allows for responses to diaper status updates provided by DCSM 812 (diapers are just one example of an item that may be provided updates).

In the case of using the system 800 configured as such, the delivery of locally applicable Internet content can be provided together with diaper updates. Similarly, the local merchants (and corresponding servers) 814 that sell diapers can provide coupons or other incentives to the user together with the determination of "diapers are wet" made by DCSM. In addition, in addition to the ability to remind caregivers about this, WHUB 804 can save a database of family needs and inventory. For example, WHUB 804 can monitor the number of diapers in use detected. When the number of used diapers approaches the known number previously purchased, additional alarms can be provided to the user to make them aware that they need diapers and that they can get a discount if they purchase brand x based on the information provided by the local merchants.

The process for providing this functionality can be described as follows. Based on historical activity related to access to locally applicable Internet content, and whatever the merchant participation is expected to be in conjunction with the system 800, the local merchant information is cached 852 in the associated LCN server(s). A wet diaper is detected 854 by the DCSM 812, and the information is transmitted to the WHUB 804. The WHUB 804, which manages the family's diaper inventory, determines that the diaper inventory is low, and therefore sends 856 a purchase alert through the base station 808 to request information related to the current demand. In response to this situation, the LCN server(s) 810 determines that the local merchant information is relevant to the current demand, and therefore retrieves 858 and sends 860 the cached local merchant information to the WHUB 804.

Together with the above information exchange, both alarms of diaper condition and low diaper inventory can be provided and retained for the user to view. When the user is ready to make a purchase, this can be provided by WHUB 804. The purchase request can be completed by directly docking with WHUB 804, or by using UE 802 in the manner described above. The latter option is shown. There, UE 802 sends 862 its tag ID and purchase request to WHUB 804. Of course, this can be done after some browsing activities before the purchase request in order to view possible purchase options. Verification can be performed as described above, based on the tag ID and password. The tag ID and password are sent 864 to the verification server, which returns a notification 868 for confirming the verification.

Once authorized, payment is sent 868 to the local merchant server 814 to complete the transaction, and a receipt, confirmation, and other information related to the transaction can be fed back to the WHUB 804. For actual products such as diapers, the WHUB will already provide (or the local merchant already has) a shipping address. In addition, if the local merchant is a provider of several items (e.g., a supermarket), the items can be accumulated before the purchase is completed and/or shipped and/or the product is made available to the user. The WHUB is preferably configured with a shopping list that allows periodic accumulation of purchases to be organized to provide this functionality.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system 900 having mobile terminal signal conversion.

By converting the mobile terminal signal, the high-speed data stream multimedia information in the wireless communication environment can be displayed on the display device. This function can enable us to truly realize and enjoy the entertainment and benefits brought to us by multimedia.

For example, by adopting the so-called next generation cellular technology (3G and 4G), multimedia information can be provided to wireless mobile terminals. This technology can be used to transmit multimedia information (such as rich images, real-time audio and video). However, due to the relatively small screen and insufficient earphone quality, in many applications, high-quality multimedia information that could have provided sufficient clarity and satisfaction with the next generation communication technology cannot be fully reproduced by the mobile terminal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by converting the signal received by the mobile terminal, replaceable multimedia display terminals, including but not limited to displays, televisions, projectors, or LCD displays, can be used to achieve these purposes. These display devices usually have significantly better video and audio reproduction capabilities than mobile terminals. Moreover, they use a power supply separate from the mobile terminal.

Referring to the system 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 , multimedia information can be provided by any number of service providers (code 902a-b in the figure), and can be transmitted to a base station 906 via a network 904, and then transmitted to a cellular phone 908 after relevant processing. The system 900 is only an example, and it should be understood that any conventional and future developed technology capable of transmitting voice and/or data to a mobile terminal can be applied to the present invention. These wireless communication systems include, but are not limited to, cellular communication systems and wireless local area networks.

Likewise, although we have described a typical external display terminal 914, it can have many variations and different forms. It can be digital or analog. Examples of digital systems include HDTV, LCD and plasma display devices. Analog systems include televisions (implemented in NTSC, PAL, SECAM standards) and analog computer monitors (SVGA, VGA). The external display terminal 914 may not be limited by the size of the display screen like the cellular phone 908, and it is also preferably independently powered.

In the description of the specific embodiment, the mobile terminal signal conversion unit (MTSCM) 912 is configured as a separate device 910, external to the cellular phone 908.

For a more in-depth discussion of the usefulness of MTSCM 912, see the existing annotations of Figure 9 and flowchart 12.

The MTSCM 912 processes the signal so that it can be reproduced by an external device. As described above (step 1202), the multimedia signal is transmitted to the cellular phone 908 via the wireless communication network. The multimedia signal may include visual information reproduced by the display screen of the cellular phone 908. For ease of explanation, the processing of the video signal is described herein, and it should be understood that the present invention may convert any multimedia information or a portion thereof.

The cellular phone 908 is connected to the MTSCM 912. It can be a cable connection that connects the cellular phone 908 to the MTSCM 912 device 910. Through this connection, the MTSCM 912 receives a video signal from the cellular phone 908 (step 1204). This received video signal can be appropriately processed to adapt to the cellular phone 908 screen display. The above-mentioned cable connection is an example of connecting the cellular phone 908 to the MTSCM 912. Another example of a wired connection is that the two are connected without a cable, but with a socket. Wireless connection can also be a connection method, although it is not as feasible as a wired connection because it cannot adapt to the potential needs of high data flow transmission. Wireless connection can be implemented by existing communication technology, including but not limited to Bluetooth connection.

The MTSCM 912 processes the video signal to provide a converted video signal having a display format and/or signal strength suitable for a display terminal 914 that is replaceable with the cellular telephone 908 (step 1206). The display format and/or signal strength of the display terminal 914 may be different from that of the cellular telephone 908, but they may also have embodiments of the same format. Even if the formats are the same, the signal conversion of the display terminal (code 914 in the figure) still needs to be adjusted to achieve a strength that can drive the display terminal and minimize throughput requirements. This signal conversion will be further explained in the description of FIG. 11 below.

9 and 13, after the signal conversion, the MTSCM 912 provides the converted visual signal to the external display terminal 914 to adapt the visual information to be displayed on the screen of the display terminal 914 (step 1208). This can be achieved by connecting the MTSCM 912 device 910 and the external display terminal 914 as shown in the figure.

Here, mobile terminals include typical handheld mobile devices, including cellular phones and personal digital assistants. Although these devices include an execution platform capable of performing input and display functions, they are distinguished from desktop and tabletop personal computers that are not designed for portability.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the modules of the MTSCM 1000 according to the present invention. The MTSCM 1000 may be provided in software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.

When the MTSCM 1000 is provided with software, it operates in an execution platform environment. That is, the MTSCM 1000 includes instructions stored in memory for execution by a processor. Any conventional or to-be-developed execution platform may be used. The well-known concepts of processors, memory, and related equipment, such as power supplies, will not be explained here. In addition, FIG. 10 depicts the units of the MTSCM 1000 decomposed step by step. It should be understood that the practicality and functionality of the decomposed units of the MTSCM 1000 in this figure may vary, and their names may be larger, smaller, or have different names.

In addition, although the units listed in the figure are all in a common area, in practice they can be completed by different parts of the system, which includes a mobile terminal, a display device, and an intermediate device that houses the MTSCM and connects the mobile terminal and the display device. In addition, it can be said that the overall function of the MTSCM can be separated, and the overall function can be realized separately or independently by the mobile terminal, a separate intermediate device and/or a display device.

The MTSCM 1000 may also be provided in the form of a chip, which may be placed in a mobile terminal, or may be used as a separate dedicated signal conversion device, or placed in a display terminal to provide the above-mentioned mobile terminal signal conversion function.

The MTSCM 1000 includes a mobile terminal interface unit 1002 , a signal conversion unit 1004 , and an external device interface 1006 .

The mobile terminal interface unit 1002 is capable of receiving multimedia information directly from a mobile terminal or a wireless communication network. A conventional physical interface provides a connection between the MTSCM 1000 and the mobile terminal, allowing signals to flow to the MTSCM 1000. The mobile terminal interface unit 1002 identifies and stores the multimedia information, which is then processed by the remaining units. Buffering and similar operations may be used to perform the storage and signal processing described below.

The signal conversion unit 1004 communicates with the mobile terminal interface unit 1002 to access and process the received multimedia information. The signal conversion unit 1004 identifies the format of the multimedia signal and processes it into a converted signal. The converted signal can have a different format and signal power strength than that used by the mobile terminal and can adapt to one or more external devices connected to the MTSCM 1000. The following describes various types of external devices connected to the MTSCM 1000 in conjunction with Figure 11.

The external device interface 1006 communicates with the signal conversion unit 1004 to obtain the converted signal. The external device interface 1006 can also be connected to an external device (such as a display device). The external device interface 1006 can provide the converted signal to the external device and can also drive the external device. Alternatively, the external device interface 1006 can also only provide the converted signal to the external device, and the external device has a built-in drive unit that can drive a device that reproduces (such as displays) the signal.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating another example of an MTSCM 1100. The MTSCM 1100 includes more details regarding signal conversion and describes examples of different types of external display devices, all of which are provided with converted signals by the MTSCM 1100. These descriptions and corresponding explanations are illustrated by examples. Although a large number of connection modes have been described, the present invention may include all of these connection modes in practice, or only one or more of them; and also includes connection modes not listed here but also related to the content of this article.

The MTSCM 1100 includes an interface/buffer unit 1102 similar to the mobile terminal interface unit described above. To accommodate user needs for multimedia signal output (e.g., providing real-time audio/video with sufficient buffering and processing rates), the remaining components are used to configure buffering and receiving functions to accommodate signal transmission needs. Mobile terminal video compression formats can have many variations, but MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 are currently the most commonly used. Buffering and throughput rates can also be implemented based on the designer's ideas. Although buffers of 1300Mb or higher can be implemented, 1000Mb is currently recognized as a more appropriate buffer specification. In addition, a throughput of approximately 10Gb/s is more suitable for current systems, but can be increased based on needs or technical requirements involved.

The video compression decoder 1104a is used to receive multimedia signals. Multimedia information is usually compressed to meet the demand for increased signal transmission rate. One of the MPEG standards (such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4) is an example of providing such a compression system. The video compression decoder 1104a is configured to include an appropriate compression and decompression (CODEC) unit to decompress the received multimedia signal. For example, when the compression scheme adopts MPEG, the video compression decoder 1104a uses an MPEG CODEC to process such multimedia signals.

As an alternative to providing the video compression decoder 1104a in the MTSCM 1100, the above functions can also be provided in a cellular phone or other mobile terminal. However, the difficulty of this solution is that the high bandwidth required to transmit the decompressed information between the cellular phone and the MTSCM 1100, and accordingly, the MTSCM 1100 requires a larger buffering function.

The video compression decoder 1104a outputs the decompressed digital multimedia signal to a digital/analog video encoder (DAVE) 1104b and/or a digital/digital video encoder DDVE 1104c. The digital/analog video encoder DAVE 1104b provides a signal to an analog display terminal 1120; the digital/digital video encoder DDVE 1104c provides a signal to a digital external display terminal 1122. The digital/analog video encoder DAVE 1104b and the digital/digital video encoder DDVE 1104c respectively receive the decompressed multimedia signals and convert these signals into the format and signal power strength required by the receiving terminal to which they are interfaced.

Examples of formats used by analog display terminal 1120 include listed S-video, RGBHV, RGBS and EIA770.3. Similarly, digital/digital video encoder DDVE1104c provides output using standards such as DVI, DVI-D, HDMI and IEEE1394. The information provided by digital/analog video encoder DAVE 1104b and digital/digital video encoder DDVE1104c, respectively, is output to the terminal via interfaces 1106a-b. Digital/analog video encoder DAVE) 1104b can be implemented as a video card with corresponding settings in practice. Such a video card can be configured to perform the above functions, including but not limited to DiamondStealth S60, ASUS V9400-X, or RADEON7000.

Ultimately, these signals are displayed on an external display terminal according to the specific display type required. For example, the video data stream can be a digital RGB signal to represent the intensity of red, green, and blue light at different locations. This signal is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter. This converted analog signal meets the voltage and format required by the standard, such as the input of a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor. This standardized video signal can drive a set of electron guns that generate controlled electron currents to display red, green, and blue light respectively on the CRT screen. This is just an example, and in fact the present invention is not limited to a specific external display technology (such as CRT).

As described above, in one embodiment, the MTSCM can be completely separated from the mobile terminal and the external display terminal, and each of them can be connected to other facilities to complete the entire system configuration including three parts of hardware (mobile terminal, conversion box, external display terminal). This configuration can provide good flexibility and can allow any standard mobile terminal and/or display terminal to be coordinated with the MTSCM to the greatest extent without limiting the manufacturers of the mobile terminal and the external display terminal. A possible disadvantage of this configuration is that the system requires additional hardware.

Instead of this three-component system, the MTSCM can be located either in the mobile terminal or in the display terminal. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a system 1300 in which the conversion of the MTSCM mobile terminal signal is located in the mobile terminal 1308. The elements and functions of the service provider 1302a, b network 1304 and the base station for transmitting multimedia signals to the mobile terminal 1308 are the same as the analog elements of FIG. 1 and are not described in detail here. Similarly, the external display terminal 1314 can be any of the various forms described above.

The MTSCM 1312 provides the same functionality as described above. However, the MTSCM 1312 is an integral part of the mobile terminal 1308, rather than being located in another device. In addition, a potential benefit of the system 1300 is that any standard device can be used as the external display terminal 1314, without being limited to the display device manufacturer. In addition, connecting the external display device to the mobile terminal 1308 only requires a simple wired or wireless interface. For example, this means that the user does not need to carry a bulky conversion unit in addition to the cellular phone.

A potential disadvantage of this system 1300 is that the execution platform of the mobile terminal 1308 may be designed to accommodate only traditional functions, so adding MTSCM functions to the existing execution platform will be very challenging for some systems. In addition, the MTSCM will consume a large amount of the limited energy that can be provided by the battery of the mobile terminal (code 1308 in the figure). Therefore, it is very practical to connect to the external display terminal 1314 through a cable and provide energy to the mobile terminal 1308. Similarly, this will require some modifications to the mobile terminal 1308 because its existing energy supply port may not be sufficient for this function.

FIG14 is a system diagram, which describes another example of a system 1400 in which an MTSCM 1412 is disposed in an external display terminal 1414. As in FIG13, the components and utilities of the service provider 1402a, b network 1404 and the base station 1406 transmitting multimedia information to the mobile terminal 1408 are the same as those of the analog unit in FIG9; and will not be described in detail herein.

Here, the mobile terminal 1408 only needs to be directly connected to the external display terminal 1414. However, an alternative to setting the functions of the MTSCM 1412 in the mobile terminal 1408 is to make it a part of the display terminal 1414. This system 1400 solves the power supply and execution platform problems involved in placing the MTSCM 1412 in the mobile terminal; and any mobile terminal 1408, except for providing a transmission interface, can be connected to any external display device equipped with MTSCM without any additional modification. The potential disadvantage of this configuration is that it adds additional components to the standard external display terminal, and the corresponding cost is also increased.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a mobile terminal signal conversion application 1500 according to the present invention. By illustrating these applications 1500 by example, the reader can understand some possible situations in which the embodiments of the present invention can be applied. The present invention is not limited to the listed applications; all possible applications are not limited to the described embodiments.

The infrastructure for providing wireless communication signals and corresponding multimedia signals includes the service providers 1502a, b, network 1504, base station 1506, and mobile terminal 1508 described above. MTSCM 1510 can be in the mobile terminal 1508 or in the display terminal 1512, or it can be separated from it. Examples of applications 1514 that require larger screens and more advanced audio include video conferencing, HDTV, games, GPS, and video on demand. In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide a place 1516 for enjoying full multimedia functions, which can include motor vehicles, airplanes, hotels, and vacation places. For example, the present invention thus provides use in motor vehicles, airplanes, and any means of transportation, allowing passengers to browse the Internet, watch TV, play games, participate in video conferences or make video calls, and can apply the full functionality and practicality of all types of software.

FIG16 is a schematic diagram showing a control system for multimedia communication between different user terminals.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the conversion server located in different network environments provides routing functions and connection functions, and provides functions bidirectionally. Therefore, this aspect provides transmission and reception of content and converts such content in two directions depending on the connected device and the corresponding protocol used by such device.

According to another aspect of this embodiment, a cellular television function is provided. Here, the television also includes cellular communication features and the above-mentioned conversion functionality in form and functionality. Preferably, one or more "channels" corresponding to cellular applications are provided in the cellular television, so that users can access and watch content received in this way in a manner similar to that used to access traditional television channels.

According to another aspect, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide effective integration for Internet, wireless network, cable, DSL, satellite and TV communication, so that communication between potential different user terminals can be carried out. User terminals include home and office appliances (such as TV, computer) and wireless terminals (such as mobile phones, PDAs). In the system configured according to this aspect, the management center (MC) receives, selects, converts, compresses, decompresses and routes data to user terminals. Various examples are shown and will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art once they are taught according to the teaching of the aspect. As an example, such as those signals from fire sensors or theft sensors are sent to the user's cellular phone and/or 911 center through the MC system. Some processing functions can be performed by the MC system in combination with user terminals and other MC systems. In another example, the user's phone call (wireless or wired) is routed to the user's designated phone, mobile terminal, computer and/or TV.

MC system functionality includes receiving, converting and transmitting content in both directions. It also includes facilities for mapping and routing content to various connected devices and data storage for storing content for use by local or remote devices.

The MC system can be used in both directions to perform the reception, conversion and transmission of multimedia content. For example, this can include receiving and transmitting signals from cellular networks, the Internet, PSTN, other management centers, and receiving and transmitting signals from user terminals, including televisions, monitors, diaper surveillance, cameras, fire alarms, theft sensors, etc.

With respect to conversion, the MC system includes a converter module with routines to select, extract, compress, decompress, adjust data, and convert data format and/or power lever and/or data packet size/format.

The MC system also includes a mapping table and a routing module. The mapping table is further described below. It matches telephone numbers, cable ports, DSL ports, IP addresses, etc. The routing module is used to route data to the destination through a specified channel. The routing module allows routing of received data from various sources, including but not limited to cable, broadcast television, and the Internet. It also allows routing to various interfaces established on the receiving terminal, including but not limited to RS232, USB2.0, and video cable ports. The routing module receives relevant information about the route from the result of viewing the same route in the mapping table, and therefore implements the route.

Finally, the MC system includes a data storage device such as a hard disk. This allows the MC system to store content to facilitate faster and more efficient data reception and transmission to user terminals. The MC system can also conveniently retain converted (e.g., compressed, encoded, encrypted, decompressed) content for subsequent additional access. The converted content can be provided internally or transmitted externally from the MC system.

It should also be noted that the MC system also includes software and/or hardware for filtering and processing viruses, such as viruses involving cellular networks and corresponding cellular communications. For example, when content is being transmitted and received by the MC system, the MC system can periodically or continuously check for virus signatures. Therefore, a virus screen process can be applied to multimedia content and their conversion, and in the same place (the domain of the MC system). This is useful because virus screening can be applied to multimedia content before and/or after the multimedia content is converted. Processing can include blocking or isolating detected viruses, deleting virus data or files, and communicating the possible existence of an attack to other MC systems or external systems.

When a communication is inbound to the MC system, it may include a data packet identifying the destination device. This may be in the form of a unique device identifier associated with each device managed by the MC system. The mapping table is queried for the existence of the unique identifier. Once this is successfully performed, the corresponding information about the communication process can be automatically collected from the mapping table.

In addition, or alternatively, the MC system (and/or CHS) can obtain formatting, addressing and other information by referring to parts of the received data packets according to a predefined protocol. For example, the information in the received data packets can indicate the format for transmission (e.g., TCP packets in the Internet) and the format for reception (e.g., data packets defined by WCDMA in 3G), as well as the destination address corresponding to the converted data format. The overhead information in the received data packets can inform the MC/CHS about the subsequent transmission protocol and the matching format. That is, the data packets received by the MC/CHS include some specified additional data in addition to the desired content data. This information informs the MC/CHS about the inbound data format transmission protocol, as well as the outbound data format and transmission protocol corresponding to the data format.

For example, if the data packet contains the identifier DI1, it is determined that the communication is intended to reach the main television in the home. In a similar example, all communications to a given device may be required to be in the same format and to the same address. For example, a conventional video output may be directly connected via a cable (e.g., via a coaxial cable, component cable, HDMI cable) between the video output from the MC system and the video input of the main television. With respect to this example, the MC system includes a conventional output for connection to the television.

There are also network-based connections, such as to a personal computer (e.g., a home LAN router) or directly to a television equipped with a network interface card and associated functionality. In these instances, the address information (and corresponding entries in the mapping table) may include the network address of the particular device. The MC system is equipped with its own network interface card and corresponding outputs to participate in these communications. These and other communications (e.g., by using a cell phone number or direct local wireless communication to a cell phone) may be made, again as indicated by the mapping table.

There may also be situations where a plurality of different processes and corresponding conversions and addressing need to be applied to a given device. For example, a television set may be connected to both a network connection and a video output of an MC system. As another example, it is noted that a cell phone may have an alternative communication capability. In these environments, mapping tables may also include a plurality of different entries for specifying addresses, signal formats, etc.

Therefore, the information in the mapping table can also be associated with some processing category codes for a given device. For example, processing category code #1 for a television set can indicate that inbound communications should be addressed, converted (if applicable), and routed to the television through a video output. This may simply supply a conventional television signal to the television. On the other hand, processing category code #2 for a television set can indicate that inbound communications should be addressed, converted, and routed through a network connection. In addition, some specific content requires additional or different processing (such as conversion, decryption, etc.) compared to other content. Additional processing category codes (like device identifiers) can be numbers included in the data packets.

Data packets may also be provided to the MC system in different ways. In one embodiment, the data packets may be included in the header area of the packet data sent to the MC system by the source. In addition, sometimes the data packets may contain information for converting and/or addressing appropriate devices themselves. For example, the data packets themselves may contain the network address of the destination device instead of querying the same content in the mapping table. As another example, all or part of the key information for decrypting the content may also be provided in the data packets. As another example, the data packets may contain a tag to track whether the virus shielding process has been successfully completed.

Devices intended to work with the MC system may be equipped with software and/or hardware that allows them to insert and convey appropriate information in communications with the MC system. For example, a cellular telephone may be equipped with software for providing appropriately configured data packets in an initial communication with the MC system directed to a destination device.

MC systems process data differently depending on the device and the destination for the data. For example, data received from a cellular network is selected and then converted to be displayed on home or office appliances with different types of display screens. Similarly, some content can be more appropriately displayed through a mobile phone display.

In addition, some data are also compressed and reorganized in the MC system so that they have a specific data packet size and format for matching the requirements of the relevant transmission network. For example, a signal sent from a wet diaper, fire alarm and/or theft sensor can be transmitted to a user's phone or a 911 center. This information can be compressed before transmission over the wireless network, which allows increased efficiency when using wireless communication channels. In addition, security and encryption protocols (such as SSL) as well as error prevention protocols and encoding mechanisms (such as Huffman, Solomon or Turbo LDPC encoding) can be applied to ensure that the transmitted information remains secure and error-free.

As an example, this aspect of the present invention can be applied to household appliances. Household appliances (such as televisions, PCs, telephone handsets, printers, PALMs, cameras, headsets, game controllers, refrigerators, etc.) can also be operated by a central HUB system (CHS). Such a HUB system has been described in detail above. The CHS system communicates with the MC system and/or the Internet and/or other networks. The CHS can also be built into a cable modem, a TV set-top box or other equipment. Signals such as from wet diapers, fire alarms and/or theft sensors can also be sent from the CHS. Finally, it is noted that the CHS can perform the functions described for the MC system.

The commonly used wireless connection concentrated by wireless access point is based on WLAN technology, and WLAN technology is IP-oriented technology.Because IP address may be exhausted over time, each consumer electronic device (such as headset, game controller, etc.) configured to have IP address is expensive and cannot serve the user's demand well.In this regard, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide two aspects.First, the intelligent management system combined, managed and optimized the function of consumer electronics by traditional connection equipment (such as TV set-top box, cable modem, DSL modem, etc.).Also provide non-IP-based wireless connection between these consumer electronic devices.

As shown in Figure 16, the CHS communicates through ADSL or cable Internet and communicates with cellular base stations through wireless connections. Consumer electronic devices communicate with the CHS through wireless channels (such as Bluetooth, UWB, NFC) or wireline connections. The CHS is the center of the wireless communication system.

A telephone handset (e.g., a cellular phone) can receive Internet data through the CHS and/or MS rather than communicating with a cellular base station. This communication channel is more reliable, more economical, and provides improved bandwidth than the conventional connection between a base station and a cellular phone.

There can be a corresponding connection between the CHS and the cellular network. This can use the conventional wireless communication protocol to implement the traditional wireless connection between the CHS and the cellular base station. Another possibility is to connect the CHS to the leased line or wireless line of the core cellular network. The CHS preferably includes a WiFi router function and the ability to route addresses between IP and cellular phone numbers. It is also possible to report the location of a specific user to the cellular network, so that information designated to a specific user can be directed to the CHS (such as calls, content, etc. customized by a specific user through a cellular phone). It can also include any necessary conversion functions. In addition to reporting the location of the user to the cellular network, the MC system (or CHS) can also report roaming information to other MC systems (or CHS). This makes the subsequent communication between users not involve the cellular network. That is, the first user can be located in the area covered by the first MC system, and the second user can be located in the area covered by the second MC system. When this situation remains, the communication between the first and second users through their mobile terminals can involve a wireless connection from the MC system (and a connection between the MC systems, which is, for example, an IP connection).

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, information sent to a cell phone can be delivered to a TV for better display. In addition, for example, by detecting the temperature of boiling water or food in an oven, communication and corresponding conditions between a CHS and an oven having a sensor can be triggered differently. A signal for calling the attention of anyone who is cooking food or boiling water is transmitted to a TV, an auditory system, a cell phone, a computer, a beeper, a mobile terminal, a PDA, etc.

Another example of application of the present invention is that the wireless transceiver can be installed in the child's diaper. When the diaper is wet, the communication between the diaper and the CHS is triggered. The corresponding signal is transmitted to TV, cellular, day care center, etc.

Internet content is a source of data transmitted to the user terminal through the MC system.As shown in Figure 16, one aspect of the present invention is the structural location of the MC system and/or content server.

As described in more detail above, the cache memory of local applicable content caches specific Internet content that is locally applicable based on monitoring of Internet content accessed by users from a specific location. The content can be content that has also been converted as described herein. Specific Internet content is preferably cached in a local content memory located at a local management center. Alternatively, specific Internet content is cached in a content server that is logically placed close to two or more management centers that share Internet content. For example, logical proximity is performed differently by physical proximity or by providing dedicated bandwidth and resources. Therefore, requests for Internet content for a specific location can be supplied from the cache memory to optimize delivery, wherein the cache memory contains the requested content.

Additionally, a cache of locally applicable Internet content may be maintained on a hierarchical basis such that a first layer of local applications corresponds to Internet content requested by users in a first geographic region where a particular location exists, and at least one succeeding layer of local applications corresponds to Internet content requested by users in at least one succeeding geographic region that surrounds and is larger than the first geographic region.

Merchants or other commercial entities may also provide some form of access to information related to locally applicable Internet content, where commercial incentives (such as coupons or advertisements) are delivered to users based on the information.

The logical proximity based on physical proximity or the provision of resources and dedicated bandwidth can also be applied to the position of content server and/or MC system.MC system and/or content server are placed according to local business requirements, dedicated bandwidth and other resources, geographic and demographic forms, cost etc.MC system can also be constructed and placed in the layer as described in the layered structure of content server.Determine the relative positioning of MC system and content server based on business requirements, resources, cost and monetary incentive.Importantly, management center and Internet content server are constructed for the effective transmission of data and to avoid bottleneck problem.

Note that the present invention is not limited to Internet content. The MC system and content servers can store content from a variety of sources.

Various data transmission protocols may be used to transmit multimedia content to the MC system, including from a cellular network (eg, 3G), the Internet, a service provider, and from other MC systems.

A group of transmitters and/or receivers for connection with external resources are equipped in the MC system. The connection channel for data transmission can include a wireline connection (e.g., DSL, optical fiber, cable, DSL, leased line, etc.) between the MC system and an external network (e.g., a cellular network, the Internet, a service provider network). In addition, a wireless connection (e.g., WiMax, satellite communications (e.g., VSAT systems), traditional communications with cellular base stations, point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless connections) can provide a connection between the MC system and the external network. MC systems can also connect, communicate, route, and relay content to each other and between each other. The connection between MC systems is constructed by effective data transmission, service requirements, cost, bandwidth and other resource availability, and relationships with Internet content servers, cellular networks, local service providers, and other MC systems.

Various communications can also be used for the communication channel between the MC system and various local user terminals. On the user terminal side, users use TVs, computers, DSL modems, cable modems, WLAN access points, mobile terminals and various sensors that communicate with the MC system.

A set of transmitters and/or receivers are equipped for data transmission between the MC system and the user terminal. The communication channels between the MC system and the user terminal include the following: (1) direct connection using available transmission ports/standards (e.g. USB, RS232, TV cable, Ethernet, telephone line, etc.); (2) wireless personal area network, such as UWB, Bluetooth, WLAN, etc.; (3) long-distance wireless connection, such as WiMax, satellite, such as VSAT, TV broadcast, etc.; (4) wired line connection, such as DSL, cable, Ethernet, etc.

The data transmission between the MC system and the user terminal can be unidirectional or bidirectional. Unidirectional data transmission includes data sent from the MC system to the user terminal and data sent from the user terminal to the MC system. For example, the MC system sends data to the user terminal (such as advertising broadcast to TV, computer, mobile terminal, etc.). Similarly, the user terminal sends data to the MC system (such as a signal sent from a fire alarm to the MC system). The data transmitted between the MC system and the user terminal is preferably bidirectional. In this case, transmitters and receivers are equipped on both sides.

The operation of data processing and transmission in the MC system can be shared with multiple user terminals and/or other MC systems. In some cases, some functions of the above-mentioned MC system can be implemented by the user terminal, so the MC system is omitted. One aspect of the present invention is a TV or other display, which is equipped to receive RF signals sent from a cellular base station. The cellular TV demodulates, and/or compresses/decompresses data, and/or converts the signal to an appropriate format before displaying the image/video. The conversion and transmission provided to the TV can also be bidirectional. Cellular TVs with cameras/microphones can also record and extract multimedia information, which can be sent to other users' terminals via a cellular network or the Internet. Cellular TVs are equipped to extract and/or convert, and/or compress and modulate multimedia information before sending information to a cellular base station. Cellular TVs also preferably have separate channels for displaying multimedia information from other networks outside the cellular network or traditional TV programs. Users can also use TV remote controllers to dial phone numbers like a dial pad.

Figure 17 is a flow chart showing a process 1700, which is used to indicate that television displays the content of the signal received from a remote location through a cellular communication network. In one embodiment, the process is implemented in a television set, and the television set is equipped to receive signals wirelessly from a cellular base station and provide corresponding conversion and indication to display content on a given channel. For this reason, the shell of the television set comprises that conventional cellular telephone technology is used to at least receive (and possibly send, if necessary) calls by being connected to a cellular network. As described above in detail about MTSCM, the television set is also equipped to have the processing power required to perform signal conversion.

In an alternate embodiment, the set-top box is configured to receive wireless signals, and outputs the signal that has been suitably formatted for the television set. Also in another embodiment, the MC system is equipped to receive wireless signals, and performs conversion and the routing to the television set. In any of these cases, the set-top box or the MC system are similarly equipped to provide mentioned cellular communication capabilities and MTSCM functionality. Also note that such embodiment is arranged, wherein functionality is divided in various ways between set-top box, television set, MC system and/or CHS, and the various ways relate to at least two and sometimes relate to all three equipment.

The process begins 1702 when video content is received over a cellular communication channel. For example, the communication may be received at the initiation of a cellular telephone user who wishes to send content. For example, a conventional cellular telephone call to a designated number corresponding to a television may be used to establish a connection. At this point, the content sent from the remote cellular telephone to the television will be formatted as required by the cellular network. The MTSCM functionality converts such signals and associated formats from the cellular network into the format used by the television (e.g., SD or HD standards).

When it is determined that the video content has a television as a display destination 1704, the video content is then configured for display according to the requirements of the television 1706, such as described with respect to the functionality of the MTSCM. The knowledge that the content is destined for a television can be inferred 1704 when a dedicated number or known signal routing is provided at a given interface to the television.

Finally, television set is instructed to show converted content 1708 on a predetermined channel. This predetermined channel for example can be an adjustable channel that is not used for other forms of content in addition. In order to watch video content in this way, the user only uses channel button etc. to operate to appropriate channel, and then converted content is displayed on the display screen of television. In the replacement that set-top box is used to provide mentioned functionality, tuning can be provided by controlling the remote of set-top box. The given channel on the set-top box can correspond to the content received in this way. The output of set-top box is provided to television set with the content converted by conventional connection (for example HDMI, component cable, S-video or other connections).

Turning now to some other aspects of the present invention, FIGS. 18-20 illustrate examples in which the MC system converts and routes content to specific devices.

According to a first aspect, the MC system is configured to convert and route multimedia content to various (eg, home) devices that require addressing and include not only different communication protocols but also different formats. Figure 18 is a flow chart of a process 1800 of converting and routing multimedia content to different terminals.

Process 1800 begins when multimedia content 1802 is received from a source outside of a local location to be directed to a destination device within the local location. The destination device may include different devices having different formats and receiving signals through different communication protocols.

The MC system then determines the communication protocol, signal format, and address for the destination device 1804. This may be performed by reference to data packet information, mapping table information, or a combination thereof as described above.

The inbound multimedia content is then converted for rendering according to the signal format determined for the device 1806. Finally, the converted multimedia content is routed to the destination device 1808 using the determined address and communication protocol corresponding to the destination device.

According to another aspect, the MC system provides bidirectional conversion, wherein content can not only be inbound to a variety of different devices, but can also be communicated to a variety of remote devices. This function can be similarly performed using the various connections available to the MC system and the corresponding information in the mapping table and data packets.

19 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a bidirectional operation involving a first device transmitting inbound content to a second device in a home managed by the MC system, and a third device transmitting outbound content to a fourth device outside the home.

Process 1900 entails receiving first multimedia content originating from a first device located outside of a home location and destined for a second device in the home location 1902. The first multimedia content is then converted for rendering and routed to the second device 1904. Similarly, second multimedia content is received from a third device located at the home location and destined for a fourth device outside of the home 1906. The second multimedia content is converted for rendering by the fourth device and the converted multimedia content is routed to the fourth device 1908.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the MC system allows a user to remotely use a cell phone to order content, where the content may come from a variety of different sources. Figure 20 illustrates a process 2000 for receiving and providing fulfillment of multimedia content requests corresponding to different sources.

Process 2000 begins with receiving a request 2002 from a cellular phone user to access first and second multimedia content. Examples of requests may include separate content purchases, previous content selections, selections of content that does not need to be purchased, and others. For example, a cellular phone may be used to contact the MC system directly. Another way to perform this is to communicate with the MC system using a cellular phone with an intervening communication occurring with a cellular base station. That is, with reference to Figure 16, a cellular phone may be used to communicate with a cellular base station, and the cellular base station then communicates with the MC system using the various communication channel options shown. The first and second multimedia content may of course be customized on separate occasions and may correspond to fully available content from different sources.

The MC system identifies a first source corresponding to the first multimedia content and a second source corresponding to the second multimedia content 2004. These sources may use any number of different communication protocols to perform delivery of the content to the home.

The MC system then initiates communications with the first and second sources respectively using different communication protocols to satisfy the request for access to the first and second multimedia content 2006. The first and second multimedia content may then be received by the MC system and converted for rendering by the destination device and routed accordingly (2010).

According to this embodiment, various devices and various content sources can be applied. For example, the initial step can involve a user who uses his cell phone (e.g., directly or through a plug-in cellular base station) to communicate with the MC/CHS. The user can then issue various types of requests to the MC/CHS. For example, the MC/CHS can be instructed to initiate a call to another user's cell phone. Alternatively, the user can instruct the MC/CHS to obtain information corresponding to the request, such as a current news story (e.g., news about the president's veto of the law) based on previously or currently submitted keywords. The corresponding format or addressing information is then provided to the MC/CHS. For example, the IP address of the user's PC can be indicated to the MC/CHS as the destination address for the requested news, and the cable port address of the user's TV can be the destination address for the requested news. Finally, the MC/CHS performs appropriate conversion and routing accordingly to output the requested content. For example, the MC can communicate with the cellular network to find other users desired by the cellular phone call, and convert the received data packets defined as the cellular network into TCP packets, assuming that the user's PC IP address is the destination address. A network protocol can then be used to transmit the converted data to the user's PC (e.g., via the Internet (TCP/IP) or via a direct network connection). Regarding the provision of news corresponding to the search query, the MC/CHS can use the MC content layer structure to find the best source and route for the requested content. For example, it can look for news on a local Internet content server (the local Internet content server can be the MC system itself, since the MC system is configured to store content that is provided differently as described herein). The MC system converts the corresponding content into a television format and transmits it to the TV, for example, via a direct wired connection or a wireless connection (e.g., via UWB between the TV and the CHS).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for optimizing content delivery is provided, and multiple users in a specific location request this content. This needs to monitor the network content requested by the user corresponding to the specific location, receive the request for content from the given user of the specific location, wherein usually provide content from the position outside the specific location, determine that other users who are located at the specific location also request content, and use the server that is logically close to the user who is located at the specific location to supply content to the given user and other users simultaneously, and replace to supply content to the given user and other users of the position from the position outside the specific location respectively. In one embodiment, the aforementioned hierarchical method is used to make the judgment whether the content is locally applicable. At that position, the content requested can be monitored and the judgment whether the content is requested jointly in the specific location can be made.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention propose and provide multimedia communication between different terminals. Although the present invention has been described in great detail with reference to its specific embodiments, the present invention may be embodied differently without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are not limited in any way to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

Claims (200)

1. A wireless device for information communication includes a wireless network interface configured to receive wireless signals over a wireless local area network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal; a decoder configured to decompress the compressed signal to accommodate playback of the corresponding information content; a WiFi access point; wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate information regarding the updated status over the wireless network interface; wherein the updated status pertains to status management or security monitoring of the item; wherein the wireless device is configured to transmit information regarding a unique identifier of a destination device; wherein the wireless device is further configured to send a request for the information content; wherein the unique identifier of the destination device is associated with the wireless local area network; wherein the unique identifier of the destination device is associated with a signal format of the wireless signal; and wherein the wireless device comprises the destination device.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the initial-communication-configuration data is transmitted from a cellular telephone; wherein the initial communication configuration data includes information about the wireless local area network.

3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device further comprises initial communication configuration software that communicates initial communication configuration data in a communication-initialized configuration; wherein the initial communication configuration data includes information about the wireless local area network.

4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is further configured to provide a communication connection of the wireless local area network for a user terminal through the WiFi access point; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

5. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is further configured to transmit multimedia information from a camera through the wireless network interface.

6. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the information of the updated status is transmitted over a ZIGBEE communication channel.

7. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device further comprises an encoder configured to encode the decompressed signal into an encoded signal; the encoded signal is an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal; and wherein the wireless device further comprises a high definition digital output interface configured to transmit the encoded signal.

8. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted over an HDMI cable.

9. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein the wireless device is further configured to provide a communication connection of the wireless local area network for a user terminal through the WiFi access point.

10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to receive a signal from a sensor regarding the updated status; wherein the updated status information is transmitted to the user's cellular telephone; wherein the identifier information of the user's cellular telephone is associated with the identifier of the sensor.

11. A method for smart home, the method comprising:

Transmitting information about a unique identifier of the destination device;

Transmitting a request for information content;

receiving a wireless signal through a wireless network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal;

decompressing the compressed signal to play the information content;

transmitting related information of the update status through the wireless network; the updated status is related to status management or security monitoring of the item; and

Providing a communication connection of the wireless network for a user terminal; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone; wherein the unique identifier of the destination device is associated with a signal format of the wireless signal; and wherein the unique identifier of the destination device is associated with a communication address of the wireless signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: the initial-communication-configuration data is transmitted from the cellular phone; and wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information about the wireless network.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: providing initial communication configuration data in a communication initialization configuration; and wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information about the wireless network.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises transmitting internet data for the user terminal.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: and transmitting multimedia information from the camera through the wireless network.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the updated state information is over a ZIGBEE communication channel.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises encoding the decompressed signal into an encoded signal for transmission over a high definition digital output interface; wherein the encoded signal is an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the high definition digital output interface is included in a mobile telephone of a user.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the information content comprises a video call.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises receiving a signal from a sensor regarding the updated status; wherein the updated status information is transmitted to the user's cellular telephone; and wherein the identifier information of the user's cellular telephone is associated with the identifier information of the sensor.

21. A wireless device for a smart home, comprising:

A decoder;

A wireless network interface configured to communicate over a network communication channel of a wireless network;

Wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate information about the updated status over the wireless network interface; wherein the signal regarding the updated status is transmitted over a wireless transmission channel, the wireless transmission channel being established for transmitting the signal; wherein the establishment of the wireless transmission channel is responsive to the sensor sensing the updated status; wherein the wireless network and the wireless transmission channel are separate; wherein the signal comprises corresponding information of a unique identifier of the sensor; the wireless device is further configured to transmit information related to an identifier of the destination device and a request for information content; wherein the identifier is associated with communication information of the destination device; wherein the wireless device includes the destination device;

The wireless device is further configured to receive a wireless signal corresponding to the information content through the wireless network interface; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal;

wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed signal to play the information content; and

Wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device and information about a signal format of the compressed signal.

22. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive a signal regarding the updated status over the wireless transmission channel.

23. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is further configured to provide a communication connection for the wireless network; wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate internet data over the communication connection.

24. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the initial-communication-configuration data is transmitted from a cellular telephone; and wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information regarding a network address of the wireless network and information of an identifier of the wireless device.

25. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device comprises a destination device; wherein said wireless device further comprises initial communication configuration software for said destination device that communicates initial communication configuration data in a configuration of said destination device communication initialization; wherein the initial-communication configuration data is used to initiate an initial communication directed to the destination device; and wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information regarding a network address of the wireless network and identifier information of the wireless device.

26. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is further configured to receive multimedia information from a camera through the wireless network interface.

27. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device further comprises an encoder configured to encode the decompressed signal into an encoded signal, the encoded signal being an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal; and wherein the wireless device further comprises a high definition digital output interface configured to connect a cable to transmit the encoded signal.

28. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is further configured to provide a communication connection for the wireless network; wherein the wireless device is further configured to communicate internet data over the communication connection.

29. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the wireless device further comprises an encoder configured to encode the decompressed signal into an encoded signal, the encoded signal being an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal; and wherein the wireless device further comprises a high definition digital output interface configured to connect a cable to transmit the encoded signal; wherein the wireless network comprises a cellular network.

30. The wireless device of claim 29, wherein the wireless device is a mobile terminal of a user.

31. A method for smart home; comprising the following steps:

Transmitting information about the updated state through the wireless local area network; wherein a signal regarding the update status is transmitted over a wireless transmission channel established for transmitting the signal, the establishment of the wireless transmission channel being responsive to the sensor sensing the update status; wherein the wireless local area network and wireless transmission channel are separated; wherein the signal comprises corresponding information of a unique identifier of the sensor;

Transmitting a request for information content and destination device identifier information;

Receiving a compressed signal corresponding to the information content through the wireless local area network; wherein the destination device identifier information is associated with a communication address and a signal format of the compressed signal; and

Decompressing the compressed signal to accommodate playback of the information content.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises: providing a WiFi access point; and transmitting internet data to a user terminal through the WiFi access point; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting initial communication configuration data in a communication initialized configuration; wherein the initial-communication-configuration data is transmitted from the cellular telephone.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting initial communication configuration data in a communication initialized configuration; wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information related to a network address of the wireless local area network and information related to the identifier.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises receiving and transmitting multimedia information from a camera through the wireless local area network.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises encoding the decompressed signal into an encoded signal suitable for transmission over a high definition digital output interface; wherein the encoded signal is an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the high definition digital output interface is included in a mobile telephone of a user.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the information content comprises a video call.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein the communication connection of the WiFi access point with another WiFi access point is used for communication of a first user terminal of the WiFi access point connection with another user terminal of the other WiFi access point connection.

41. A method for information communication includes transmitting information related to a unique identifier of a destination device; transmitting a request for information content; receiving a wireless signal through a wireless network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal; decompressing the compressed signal to play the information content; wherein the information content includes a telephone call; and providing a communication connection of the wireless network for a user terminal; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone; wherein the destination device unique identifier is associated with a communication address of the wireless signal; and wherein the destination device unique identifier is associated with a signal format of the wireless signal.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the method further comprises encoding the decompressed signal into an encoded signal for transmission over a high definition digital output interface; wherein the encoded signal comprises an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the method further comprises encoding the decompressed signal into an encoded signal suitable for transmission over a high definition digital output interface; wherein the encoded signal comprises an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal, wherein the high definition digital output interface is connected with a cable to transmit the encoded signal.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless network is a cellular network.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless network is a cellular network; wherein the method further comprises receiving energy through the high definition digital output interface.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the method further comprises receiving energy through the cable.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the information content comprises a video call.

49. The method of claim 42, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the high definition digital output interface is included in a mobile phone.

51. A system for multimedia communications, comprising:

a network interface configured to receive multimedia content over a network communication; wherein the transmission of the multimedia is via a wired connection; a mapping table configured to store unique identifier information of a destination device and communication information related to the destination device; wherein the communication information is associated with the unique identifier information; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the signal format is used for signal conversion of the multimedia content; wherein the signal converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device; and

And a content memory configured to optimally store the multimedia content based on an access frequency of the multimedia content.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is configured to optimize use of storage resources according to a frequency of user access to the multimedia content; wherein the delay when the stored data having a relatively high access frequency is accessed is lower than the stored data having a relatively low access frequency.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the optimized storage of multimedia content is associated with at least one of: resource usage, cost, business profit, customer business requirements.

54. The system of claim 51, wherein the multimedia content is transmitted over a dedicated bandwidth.

55. The system of claim 51, further configured to transmit video from the camera, the video being transmitted to the user terminal; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone; wherein the video is used for security monitoring or smart home management.

56. The system of claim 51, wherein the optimized storage of multimedia content is associated with: storage resource usage, cost, commercial profit, customer business requirements.

57. The system of claim 51, wherein the wired connection is through HDMI.

58. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is further configured to transmit the multimedia content to a plurality of destination devices simultaneously.

59. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is further configured to transmit video from a video camera.

60. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is configured to transmit the alert based on a threshold value for the alert.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the system is configured to communicate purchase information.

62. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is configured to communicate purchase information.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the multimedia content is transmitted over a dedicated bandwidth.

64. The system of claim 51, wherein the system is configured to communicate information about the updated status in conjunction with short-range wireless communication of the updated status; wherein the updated status information pertains to status management or security monitoring of the item; wherein the updated status information is transmitted to the user terminal device; and wherein the user terminal device comprises a cellular telephone.

65. The system of claim 51 wherein the multimedia content comprises video on demand.

66. A method for multimedia communication, comprising:

Receiving multimedia content through network communication; wherein the transmission of the multimedia is via a wired connection; storing unique identifier information of a destination device and communication information related to the destination device; wherein the communication information is associated with the unique identifier information; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the signal format is used for signal conversion of the multimedia content; wherein the signal converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device; and

The multimedia content is optimally stored based on the access frequency of the multimedia content.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the optimally stored multimedia content over a dedicated bandwidth with the user.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the wired connection is over HDMI.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the alert based on a threshold value for the alert.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the method further comprises transmitting purchase information.

71. A method of destination device communication initialization, comprising:

providing initial communication configuration data of the destination device; wherein the initial-communication configuration data is used to initiate an initial communication directed to the destination device; wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information related to a wireless network and information related to a unique identifier of the destination device; transmitting a request for information content; receiving a wireless signal through the wireless network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal; and decompressing the compressed signal to play the information content; wherein the unique identifier is associated with communication information of the destination device; and wherein the communication information includes information about the wireless network and information about a signal format associated with the destination device.

72. The method of claim 71, the method further comprising: providing a WiFi access point; internet data is transmitted through the WiFi access point.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the method further comprises receiving high definition multimedia content over a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI); wherein the method further comprises playing the high definition multimedia content.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein the information content is played at a plurality of user terminals simultaneously.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein the method further comprises: the wireless signal is received from a mobile terminal.

76. The method of claim 71, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a signal from a mobile terminal and playing corresponding content; and transmitting energy to the mobile terminal; wherein the mobile terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

77. The method of claim 71, wherein the method further comprises communicating with a cellular telephone.

78. The method of claim 71, wherein the destination device is a display; and wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

79. The method of claim 71, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the high definition multimedia content over a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).

80. The method of claim 71, wherein the destination device is a digital television; and wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

81. An apparatus for high definition multimedia information communication, the apparatus comprising:

A transceiver;

A decoder;

an encoder; and

A high definition digital output interface;

Wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit information about a unique identifier of the device; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a communication address of the high definition multimedia content; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a signal format of the high definition multimedia content;

Wherein the device is configured to receive a corresponding high definition multimedia signal of the high definition multimedia content; the high definition multimedia signal includes a compressed signal; wherein the compressed signal comprises a high definition digital video signal;

Wherein the device is configured to convert the compressed signal; wherein the converting of the high definition multimedia signal comprises decompressing, by the decoder, the compressed signal into a decompressed signal, and then further encoding, by the encoder, the decompressed signal to generate an encoded signal for transmission over the high definition digital output interface;

Wherein the decoder is configured to decompress the compressed signal into the decompressed signal;

Wherein the encoder is configured to encode the decompressed signal into the encoded signal, the encoded signal comprising an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal; and wherein the high definition digital output interface is configured to transmit the encoded signal.

82. The device of claim 81, wherein the device is further configured to transmit information regarding an update status of a home device or an office device, the update status corresponding unique identifier information being associated with a unique identifier of the device.

83. The device of claim 81, wherein the device is configured to receive the high definition multimedia signal over a wireless network.

84. The device of claim 83, wherein the device is further configured to transmit initial configuration data; wherein the initial-configuration data includes information related to the wireless network and information related to the unique identifier; and wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

85. The device of claim 83, wherein the device is further configured to: providing an access point of the wireless network for a user terminal; and transmitting internet content through an access point of the wireless network; wherein the user terminal comprises a mobile phone.

86. The device of claim 81 wherein the high definition digital output interface is configured to receive energy.

87. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable; and wherein the device is a mobile terminal.

88. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable.

89. The device of claim 81 wherein the device is a cellular telephone.

90. The device of claim 85, wherein the device is a cellular telephone.

91. The device of claim 86, wherein the device is a cellular telephone.

92. The device of claim 85, wherein the high definition digital output interface is configured to receive energy; wherein the device is a mobile terminal.

93. The device of claim 83, wherein the high-definition digital output interface is a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI); and wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

94. A method for high definition multimedia information communication, comprising:

Receiving a wireless signal; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed video signal;

decompressing the compressed signal to play the corresponding information content at the destination device; wherein the information content comprises high definition video;

Receiving high definition multimedia content through a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI); and

Playing the high-definition multimedia content at the destination device;

wherein the unique identifier of the destination device is associated with communication address information of the wireless signal; and wherein the unique identifier is also associated with a signal format of the wireless signal.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the information content is played at a plurality of user terminals simultaneously.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the request for information content is from a user's cellular telephone.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the method further comprises: the wireless signal is received from a mobile terminal.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a high-definition video signal from a mobile terminal and playing corresponding content; and transmitting energy to the mobile terminal; wherein the mobile terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

99. The method of claim 94, wherein the method further comprises communicating with a cellular telephone.

100. The method of claim 94, wherein the destination device is a television.

101. The method of claim 94, wherein the destination device is a display.

102. The method of claim 94, wherein the method further comprises transmitting information about the updated status; and wherein the updated status information pertains to status management or security monitoring of the item.

103. A digital television, comprising:

A wireless network interface configured to receive wireless signals over a wireless local area network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal; the compressed signal includes a high definition video signal;

a decoder configured to decompress the compressed signal to play a corresponding high definition video;

a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) configured to receive high definition multimedia content; and

A high definition display configured to play the high definition multimedia content;

wherein the unique identifier of the digital television is associated with communication address information about the wireless local area network; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a signal format of the wireless signal.

104. The digital television of claim 103, wherein the high definition video is played at a plurality of user terminals simultaneously.

105. The digital television of claim 103, wherein the request for high definition multimedia is from a user's cellular telephone.

106. The digital television of claim 103, wherein the digital television is further configured to: the wireless signal is received from a mobile terminal.

107. The digital television of claim 103, wherein the digital television is further configured to transmit power to a mobile terminal.

108. The digital television of claim 103, wherein the digital television is further configured to communicate with a cellular telephone.

109. The digital television of claim 104, wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

110. The digital television of claim 107, wherein the mobile terminal is a cellular telephone.

111. A method for high definition multimedia information communication, the method comprising:

Transmitting information related to a unique identifier, wherein the unique identifier is associated with communication address information of high definition multimedia content; the unique identifier is associated with a signal format of the high definition multimedia content; receiving a high-definition multimedia signal corresponding to the high-definition multimedia content; the high definition multimedia signal includes a compressed signal;

Decompressing the compressed signal into the decompressed signal; and

Encoding, by an encoder, the decompressed signal, thereby generating an encoded signal for transmission over a high definition digital output interface; wherein the encoded signal comprises an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein the method further comprises transmitting information regarding updated status of a home device or an office device; wherein the update status corresponding unique identifier information is associated with the unique identifier.

113. The method of claim 111, wherein the method comprises receiving the high definition multimedia signal over a wireless network.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein the method further comprises transmitting initial-configuration data; wherein the initial-configuration data includes information regarding a network address of the wireless network; wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

115. The method of claim 111, wherein the method further comprises receiving the high definition multimedia signal over a wireless network; wherein the method further comprises providing an access point of the wireless network for a user terminal; wherein the method further comprises transmitting internet content through an access point of the wireless network; and wherein the user terminal comprises a mobile telephone.

116. The method of claim 111, further comprising receiving energy through the high definition digital output interface.

117. The method of claim 113, wherein the high-definition digital output interface is a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI); and wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network.

118. The method of claim 111, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable.

119. The method of claim 111, wherein the high definition digital output interface is included in a cellular telephone.

120. The method of claim 116, wherein the high definition digital output interface is included in a cellular telephone.

121. The method of claim 113, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network; and wherein the high definition digital output interface is comprised in a cellular telephone.

122. The method of claim 111, wherein the method comprises receiving the high definition multimedia signal over a cellular network; wherein the high definition digital output interface is comprised in a cellular telephone; wherein the method further comprises receiving energy through the high definition digital output interface; wherein the method further comprises providing a communication access point of the cellular network for a mobile terminal of the user.

123. A system for wireless communication, comprising:

A wireless network interface configured to receive wireless signals over a wireless network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal; wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network;

A decoder configured to decompress the compressed signal to accommodate playback of the corresponding information content at the destination device; and

Destination device initial communication configuration software configured to communicate initial communication configuration data in a configuration of the destination device communication initialization; wherein the initial-communication configuration data is used to initiate an initial communication directed to the destination device; wherein the initial-communication-configuration data includes information related to the wireless local area network and information related to a unique identifier of the destination device;

Wherein the unique identifier is associated with communication information of the destination device; wherein the communication information comprises information related to the wireless local area network; and wherein the communication information further comprises information in a signal format associated with the destination device.

124. The system of claim 123, the destination device further comprising a high-digital-definition display configured to play multimedia content.

125. The system of claim 123, wherein the system further comprises a WiFi access point configured to provide a communication connection for the wireless network to a user terminal; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

126. The system of claim 123, wherein the destination device comprises a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) configured to receive high definition multimedia content; and the destination device further comprises a high definition display screen configured to play the high definition multimedia content.

127. The system of claim 123, wherein the information content is played at a plurality of user terminals simultaneously.

128. The system of claim 123, wherein the system is configured to receive the wireless signal from a mobile terminal.

129. The system of claim 123, wherein the system is further configured to receive a signal from a mobile terminal and play corresponding content; wherein the destination device is configured to transmit energy to the mobile terminal; wherein the mobile terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

130. The system of claim 123, wherein the system is configured to communicate with a cellular telephone.

131. The system of claim 123, further configured to communicate information about update status over the wireless network interface; and wherein the updated status information pertains to status management or security monitoring of the item.

132. A wireless device for information communication, the wireless device comprising:

A wireless network interface configured to receive wireless signals over a wireless network; wherein the wireless signal comprises a compressed signal; a decoder configured to decompress the compressed signal to play the corresponding information content; wherein the information content includes a telephone call; and

An access point of the wireless network;

Wherein the wireless device is configured to transmit information regarding a unique identifier of a destination device of the wireless signal; wherein the unique identifier of the destination device is associated with communication address information of the wireless signal; wherein the unique identifier is also associated with a signal format of the wireless signal; and wherein the wireless device comprises the destination device.

133. The wireless device of claim 132, wherein the wireless network is a cellular network; wherein the access point of the wireless network is configured to provide a communication connection of the wireless network to a user terminal; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone of the user.

134. The wireless device of claim 132, wherein the information content comprises a video call.

135. The wireless device of claim 132, wherein the wireless device is further configured to transmit multimedia information from a camera over the wireless network.

136. The wireless device of claim 132, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network; wherein the access point of the wireless network is configured to provide a communication connection of the wireless network to a user terminal; wherein the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone of the user.

137. The wireless device of claim 132, wherein the wireless device further comprises an encoder configured to encode the decompressed signal into an encoded signal; wherein the encoded signal is an encoded decompressed high definition digital video signal; and wherein the wireless device further comprises a high definition digital output interface configured to transmit the encoded signal.

138. The wireless device of claim 137, wherein the encoded signal is transmitted via an HDMI cable.

139. The wireless device of claim 137 wherein the high definition digital output interface is configured to transmit energy.

140. The wireless device of claim 139, wherein the high-definition digital output interface is included in a mobile terminal.

141. A system for alerting and multimedia communication, comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate an alert over a network communication; wherein the transmission of the alert is based on a threshold of the alert;

a content memory configured to store multimedia content; and

A database configured to store unique identifier information of a destination device and communication information related to the destination device; wherein the communication is associated with the unique identifier; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the method comprises the steps of

The signal format is used for conversion of the multimedia content; wherein the converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device.

142. The system of claim 141, wherein the system is configured to optimize use of storage resources according to an access frequency of the multimedia content; wherein the delay when the stored data having a relatively high access frequency is accessed is lower than the stored data having a relatively low access frequency.

143. The system of claim 141, wherein the optimized storage of multimedia content is associated with at least one of: use of storage resources; cost; commercial profit; the business requirements of the customer.

144. The system of claim 141, wherein the system is further configured to transmit the multimedia content to a plurality of destination devices simultaneously.

145. The system of claim 144, wherein the multimedia content is stored geographically proximate to a user.

146. The system of claim 141, wherein the system is configured to transmit the multimedia content over a dedicated bandwidth.

147. A system for network communication, comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate over a network communication channel;

A memory configured to store unique identifier information of a destination device and communication information related to the destination device; wherein the communication is associated with the unique identifier; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the method comprises the steps of

The signal format is used for the conversion of multimedia content; wherein the converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device;

wherein the system is configured to communicate information about the update status through the network interface; wherein a signal regarding the update status is transmitted over a wireless transmission channel established for transmitting the signal, the establishment of the wireless transmission channel being responsive to the sensor sensing the update status; wherein the signal comprises corresponding information of a unique identifier of the sensor; wherein the network communication channel and the wireless transmission channel are separate; wherein the updated status information pertains to an alarm; and wherein the system is further configured to transmit an alert based on a threshold value of the alert.

148. The system of claim 147 wherein the multimedia content is for video-on-demand and/or video broadcast and/or video conferencing.

149. A method for network communication, comprising:

transmitting information about the updated status through network communication; wherein a signal regarding the update status is transmitted over a wireless transmission channel established for transmitting the signal, the establishment of the wireless transmission channel being responsive to the sensor sensing the update status; wherein the signal comprises corresponding information of a unique identifier of the sensor; wherein the updated status information pertains to an alarm;

Transmitting an alert based on a threshold value of the alert;

Receiving multimedia content; determining a destination device-related signal format; converting the multimedia content according to the signal format; and transmitting the converted multimedia content according to the network address information of the destination device.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the converted multimedia content over a dedicated bandwidth.

151. A method for alerting and multimedia communication, comprising:

Storing information about the unique identifier of the destination device and related communication information; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a communication address of the destination device; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a signal format associated with the destination device;

receiving multimedia content through network communication;

Converting the multimedia content based on the signal format; transmitting the converted multimedia content according to the communication address; and

Transmitting an alert; wherein the alert is based on a threshold of the alert.

152. The method of claim 151, wherein the multimedia content is stored geographically proximate to a user.

153. The method of claim 151, wherein the method further comprises transmitting purchase information; wherein the purchase information is related to the multimedia content.

154. The method of claim 151, further comprising optimizing delivery of the multimedia content based on access frequency: wherein the optimized delivery of the multimedia content is associated with: available resources; cost; commercial profit; the business requirements of the customer.

155. The method of claim 151, wherein the multimedia content is used for video-on-demand.

156. The method of claim 151, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the converted multimedia content over a dedicated bandwidth.

157. The method of claim 151, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the converted multimedia content to a plurality of destination devices simultaneously.

158. The method of claim 151, wherein the multimedia content is from a camera for security monitoring; wherein the method comprises the steps of

The destination device comprises a cellular telephone.

159. The method of claim 151, wherein the multimedia content comprises a video conference.

160. The method of claim 151, further comprising optimally storing the multimedia content based on an access frequency of the multimedia content; wherein an optimized use of the storage resource is associated with the access frequency.

161. A method for multimedia communication, comprising:

Storing a unique identifier of the destination device; storing communication information of the destination device; wherein the communication is associated with the unique identifier; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the signal format is used for conversion of multimedia content; wherein the converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device;

Receiving first multimedia content from a first destination device over a network communication; converting the first multimedia content; transmitting the converted first multimedia content to a second destination device for playback;

receiving second multimedia content from a third destination device over a network communication; converting the second multimedia content; transmitting the converted second multimedia content to a fourth destination device for playback;

Wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the second destination device; wherein the second destination device related signal format is used for conversion of the first multimedia content; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the fourth destination device; wherein the fourth destination device related signal format is used for conversion of the second multimedia content;

Wherein the method further comprises: determining a signal format of a fifth destination device; converting multimedia content from different sources according to a signal format associated with the fifth destination device; the multimedia content from the different sources is transferred to the fifth destination device after conversion.

162. The method of claim 161, further comprising transmitting an alarm based on a threshold of the alarm.

163. The method of claim 161, wherein the third destination device is the second destination device or the fourth destination device is the first destination device.

164. The method of claim 161, further comprising optimally storing the multimedia content; wherein the optimized use of the storage resource is related to the frequency of access of the stored data.

165. The method of claim 161, wherein the network communication is via the internet; wherein the first multimedia content and/or the second multimedia content is transmitted over HDMI.

166. The method of claim 161, wherein the third destination device is the second destination device; and wherein the fourth destination device is the first destination device.

167. The method of claim 161, wherein the method further comprises transmitting purchase information.

168. The method of claim 167, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the converted first and/or second and/or third multimedia content over a dedicated bandwidth.

169. The method of claim 161, further comprising: transmitting video from a video camera; wherein the video is transmitted to the cellular telephone.

170. The method of claim 169, wherein the method further comprises transmitting purchase information; and wherein the method further comprises transmitting an alarm based on the threshold value of the alarm.

171. A method for multimedia communication, comprising:

Receiving, via network communication, information related to a request for multimedia content and a unique identifier of a destination device; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a communication address of the destination device; wherein the unique identifier is associated with a signal format for the destination device; wherein the multimedia content is used for video-on-demand and/or broadcast;

determining a signal format for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content according to the signal format;

transmitting the converted multimedia content according to the communication address; wherein the converted multimedia content comprises encrypted content; and

The converted multimedia content is transmitted over a dedicated bandwidth.

172. The method of claim 171, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the converted multimedia content to a plurality of user terminals simultaneously.

173. The method of claim 171, wherein the method further comprises transmitting purchase information; wherein the method further comprises transmitting an alarm based on the threshold value of the alarm.

174. The method of claim 171, wherein the multimedia content is stored geographically proximate to a user.

175. The method of claim 171, wherein the multimedia content is transmitted over HDMI.

176. The method of claim 171, further comprising transmitting video from a camera, the video being transmitted to a user terminal; the user terminal comprises a cellular telephone; wherein the video is used for security monitoring or intelligent home management; wherein the multimedia content comprises the video; and wherein the method further comprises transmitting an alert.

177. The method of claim 171, wherein the method further comprises transmitting purchase information; wherein the purchase information is associated with the multimedia content.

178. The method of claim 171, wherein the method further comprises transmitting an alert based on a threshold of the alert.

179. The method of claim 171, wherein the method further comprises optimizing use of storage resources; wherein the optimized use of the storage resource is associated with an access frequency of the multimedia content, the delay when the storage data having a relatively high access frequency is accessed being lower than the storage data having a relatively low access frequency.

180. The method of claim 171, wherein the optimized delivery of multimedia content is associated with at least one of: storage resource usage, cost, commercial profit, customer business requirements.

181. A system for multimedia communications, comprising:

a content memory configured to store multimedia content; and

A mapping table configured to store unique identifier information of a destination device and communication information related to the destination device; wherein the communication information is associated with the unique identifier information; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the signal format is used for signal conversion of the multimedia content; wherein the converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device; and

A dedicated bandwidth communication connection configured to transmit the converted multimedia content.

182. The system of claim 181, wherein the system is configured to optimize use of storage resources based on a frequency of user access to the multimedia content; wherein the delay when the stored data having a relatively high access frequency is accessed is lower than the stored data having a relatively low access frequency.

183. The system of claim 181, wherein the optimized delivery of multimedia content is associated with at least one of: storage resource usage, cost, commercial profit, customer business requirements.

184. The system of claim 181, wherein the multimedia content is transmitted over HDMI.

185. The system of claim 181, wherein the system is further configured to transmit the multimedia content to a plurality of destination devices simultaneously.

186. The system of claim 181, wherein the multimedia content is delivered over the internet.

187. The system of claim 181, wherein the system is further configured to communicate purchase information; wherein the system is further configured to transmit an alarm based on the threshold value of the alarm.

188. The system of claim 181, wherein the multimedia content comprises video from a video camera; wherein the optimized delivery of the multimedia content is associated with at least one of: storage resource usage, cost, commercial profit, customer business requirements.

189. The system of claim 181, wherein the multimedia content is stored geographically proximate to a user.

190. The system of claim 189, wherein the system is configured to optimize use of storage resources based on a frequency of user access to the multimedia content; wherein the access frequency is based on monitoring access to stored data; wherein the access frequency is related to the number of accesses of the stored data over a period of time; and wherein the delay when the stored data having a relatively high access frequency is accessed is lower than the stored data having a relatively low access frequency.

191. A system for multimedia communications, comprising:

A network interface configured to receive multimedia content; and

A database configured to store unique identifier information of a destination device and communication information related to the destination device; wherein the communication is associated with the unique identifier; wherein the communication information includes information about a communication address of the destination device; wherein the communication information further includes information in a signal format associated with the destination device; wherein the method comprises the steps of

The signal format is used for conversion of the multimedia content; wherein the converted multimedia content is transmitted to the destination device for playback;

wherein the system is configured to receive first multimedia content from a first destination device; converting the first multimedia content; transmitting the converted first multimedia content to a second destination device for playback;

Wherein the system is configured to receive second multimedia content from a third destination device; converting the second multimedia content; transmitting the converted second multimedia content to a fourth destination device for playback;

Wherein the communication information includes information in a first signal format associated with the second destination device; wherein the first signal format is used for conversion of the first multimedia content; wherein the communication information further includes information in a second signal format associated with the fourth destination device; wherein the second signal format is used for conversion of the second multimedia content; wherein the multimedia content comprises multimedia content from different sources; wherein the system is further configured to: determining a third signal format associated with the fifth destination device; converting the multimedia content from different sources according to the third signal format; and the multimedia content from the different sources is transferred to the fifth destination device after conversion.

192. The system of claim 191, wherein the system is further configured to transmit an alarm based on a threshold of the alarm.

193. The system of claim 191, wherein the system further comprises a content store configured to optimally store the multimedia content based on access frequency; wherein the optimized storage of the multimedia content comprises an optimized use of storage resources; and wherein the optimized use of the storage resource is related to the frequency of access of the stored data.

194. The system of claim 191, wherein the third destination device is the second destination device and/or the fourth destination device is the first destination device.

195. The system of claim 191, wherein the conversion of the first multimedia content is associated with a network communication environment of the second destination device.

196. The system of claim 191, wherein the first multimedia content and/or the second multimedia content is transmitted over a wireless local area network.

197. The system of claim 191, wherein the system is further configured to transmit the converted first and/or second and/or third multimedia content over a dedicated bandwidth.

198. The system of claim 191, further configured to: transmitting video from a video camera; wherein the video is transmitted to a cellular telephone; wherein the video is used for video on demand and/or video broadcasting.

199. The system of claim 191, further configured to transmit purchase information.

200. The system of claim 197, further configured to transmit a video conference.