1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless transmission of video information, and in particular, to wireless communication of uncompressed video having a relay device for power saving.
2. Description of the Related Technology
With the proliferation of high quality video, an increasing number of electronic devices, such as consumer electronic devices, utilize high definition (HD) video which can require multiple gigabit per second (Gbps) or more in bandwidth for transmission. As such, when transmitting such HD video between devices, conventional transmission approaches compress the HD video to a fraction of its size to lower the required transmission bandwidth. The compressed video is then decompressed for consumption. However, with each compression and subsequent decompression of the video data, some data can be lost and the picture quality can be reduced.
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification allows transfer of uncompressed HD signals between devices via a cable. While consumer electronics makers are beginning to offer HDMI-compatible equipment, there is not yet a suitable wireless (e.g., radio frequency) technology that is capable of transmitting uncompressed HD video signals. Wireless personal area network (WPAN) and similar technologies can suffer from throughput not high enough to support HD AV applications.
The system, method, and devices of the invention each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly.
In one embodiment, there is a method of selecting an optimal transmit power level for audio/video (A/V) data transmissions by a portable device in a wireless network, the method comprising transmitting a first probe message one or more times at a first transmit power level; transmitting a second probe message one or more times at a second transmit power level that is greater than the first transmit power level, if a response to the first probe message is not received within a preset allowed response time; receiving a response to the second probe message; and selecting an optimal transmit level for subsequent A/V data transmission based at least partly on the second transmit power level.
In another embodiment, there is a portable wireless communications apparatus for audio/video (A/V) data transmission in a wireless network, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to select an optimal transmit power level at least partly by transmitting a plurality of probe messages transmitted at increasing discrete transmit power levels until a response message for one of the probe messages is received within a preset allowed response time, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the plurality of probe messages, a receiver configured to wirelessly receive the response message from a responding station in the WIRELESS NETWORK, and a memory for storing a value or a bit corresponding to the selected optimal transmit power level.
In another embodiment, there is a method of audio/video (A/V) data communication between a portable device and an intended receiver in a wireless network, the method comprising preparing a data packet that includes compressed A/V data, selecting a relay node capable of receiving the compressed data and relaying uncompressed A/V data to the intended receiver in the wireless network, and transmitting the data packet that includes the compressed A/V data to the relay node.
In another embodiment, there is a portable wireless communications apparatus for audio/video (A/V) data transmission in a wireless network, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to prepare a data packet that includes compressed A/V data, select a relay node capable of receiving the compressed data and relaying uncompressed A/V data to the intended receiver, and transmit the compressed A/V data to the relay node; and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the data packet that includes the compressed A/V data to the relay node.
In another embodiment, there is a method of audio/video (A/V) data communication between a portable device and an intended receiver via a relay node in a wireless network, the method comprising accepting a request from a portable device to become a relay node for relaying A/V data between the portable device and an intended receiver, receiving compressed A/V data from the portable device, uncompressing the compressed A/V data by the relay node, and transmitting the uncompressed A/V data to the intended receiver.
The following detailed description is directed to certain sample embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.
Embodiments include systems and methods of wireless communication of video data will be described. Video data can include one or more of motion video, still images, or any other suitable type of video data. In particular, various embodiments representing wireless communication of video data having a relay device for power saving will be described.
Exemplary implementations of the embodiments in a wireless high definition (HD) audio/video (A/V) system will now be described.
The A/V stations 114 utilize a low-rate (LR) wireless channel 116 (dashed lines in
In one example, the device coordinator 112 is a receiver of video information (referred to as “receiver 112”), and the station 114 is a sender of the video information (referred to as “sender 114”). For example, the receiver 112 can be a sink of audio and/or video data (A/V data) implemented, such as, in an HDTV set in a home wireless network environment which is a type of WPAN. The sender 114 can be a source of uncompressed A/V data. Examples of the sender 114 include a set-top box (STB), a digital video disk (DVD) player or recorder, a digital camera, a camcorder, and so forth.
The application layer 210 of the transmitter 202 includes an A/V pre-processing module 211 and an audio video control (AV/C) module 212. The A/V pre-processing module 211 can perform pre-processing of the audio/video such as partitioning of uncompressed video. The AV/C module 212 provides a standard way to exchange A/V capability information. Before a connection begins, the AV/C module negotiates the A/V formats to be used, and when the need for the connection is completed, AV/C commands are used to stop the connection.
In the transmitter 202, the PHY layer 206 includes a low-rate (LR) channel 203 and a high rate (HR) channel 205 that are used to communicate with the MAC layer 208 and with a radio frequency (RF) module 207. In certain embodiments, the MAC layer 208 can include a packetization module (not shown). The PHY/MAC layers of the transmitter 202 add PHY and MAC headers to packets and transmit the packets to the receiver 204 over the wireless channel 201.
In the wireless receiver 204, the PHY/MAC layers 214, 216 process the received packets. The PHY layer 214 includes a RF module 213 connected to the one or more antennas. A LR channel 215 and a HR channel 217 are used to communicate with the MAC layer 216 and with the RF module 213. The application layer 218 of the receiver 204 includes an A/V post-processing module 219 and an AV/C module 220. The module 219 can perform an inverse processing method of the module 211 to regenerate the uncompressed video, for example. The AV/C module 220 operates in a complementary way with the AV/C module 212 of the transmitter 202.
In the particular embodiment shown, the coordinator 310 communicates with the AC powered devices 321, 323; at least one of the AC powered devices 321 communicates with portable devices 331, 333; and at least two portable devices 331, 333 communicate with the AC powered device or with the end device, e.g., the coordinator 310, via the first AC powered device 321 acting as a relay node. The end device refers to the intended receiver of the A/V data, and these two terms-the end device and the intended receiver-will be used exchangeably. The system and method of relaying A/V data between a portable device and an end device, e.g., a coordinator, will be described in detail below in Section II. The third portable device 335 communicates directly with the end device, e.g., the coordinator 310.
I. Gradual Power Incrementing Scheme and Device Discovery
In certain embodiments, transmit power levels of a portable device are set at a number of discrete values, e.g., 0 dBm, 2 dBm, . . . , 10 dBm, ranging from a minimum level to a maximum level. To save power for the portable device which is typically battery-powered, it would be desirable to have the portable device communicate with an AC powered device in the WPAN using a minimum transmit power level.
In the example embodiment, if no response to the first probe message is received, a preset number of retransmissions of probe message at the same power level can be made. Only if no response is received after the preset number of transmissions, the transmit power level is incremented as described below. In the example embodiment, therefore, if the answer is NO (that is, no response is received by the portable device within the preset response time), the process moves to state 460, where it is determined whether the probe message counter exceeds the preset number of transmissions. If the answer is NO (the counter does not exceed the preset number), the process loops back the transmission loop comprising states 460, 430, 440, and 450. If the answer is YES (the counter exceeds the preset number), the process moves to state 470, where the transmit power level is incremented to a higher level and, then, loops back to state 420, where it is determined whether the presently set power level exceeds the maximum power level. If the power level exceeds the maximum level, the process exits at state 460 without making a further attempt to find an optimal transmit power level. If the power level does not exceed the maximum power level, the rest of the process involving transmission and possible retransmissions of probe messages described above is repeated. If a response is received for a transmitted or retransmitted probe message within the preset response time, the process ends with the portable device set to transmit at the presently set transmit power level at state 480. On the other hand, if a response is not received within the preset response time after the preset number of retransmissions, the process moves to state 470, where the transmit power level is again incremented, and the selection process repeats by looping back to state 420.
In summary, the selection process for the optimal transmit power level involves finding a minimum transmit power level within which a response can be drawn from an intended receiver or any AC powered device in the WPAN. The selection process can also be thought of as finding a minimum range within which either an intended receiver or any AC powered device that can potentially act as a relay node is found in the WPAN. In certain embodiments, the optimal transmit power level can be set slightly higher than the first transmit level which yielded the response to account for the statistical nature of the signal to noise (S/N) ratio.
The benefits of the gradual power incrementing scheme described above will be apparent to the one skilled in the art. For example, portable devices in many cases are placed close to the intended receiver, e.g., a DTV acting as the coordinator (which also happens to be an AC powered device). The portable device can be a battery-powered portable media player (PMP) mobile movie device located close to an external HDD device to upload or download a movie. By using the gradual power incrementing scheme described above, the power level can be set low enough to communicate with the intended receiver, achieving power-savings for the battery-powered portable device. In other cases, the portable device is not close to the intended receiver, but can be close to another AC powered device which can act as a relay node or station. By using the same power incrementing scheme, the power level of the portable device can be set low enough to communicate with the AC powered relay device, again achieving power-savings for the portable device.
II. A/V Data Transmission Via a Relay Node
In operation, the portable device 530 transmits compressed A/V data 560 to the relay node 520. The relay node 520, in turn, decodes or uncompresses the compressed A/V data and relays the uncompressed A/V data 570 to the intended receiver 510. Because the portable device 530 transmits compressed data, the transmission time is small compared to the transmission time required for transmission of uncompressed A/V data such as shown in
The above-described method of relaying A/V data via a relay node may be realized in a program format to be stored on a computer readable recording medium that includes any kinds of recording devices for storing computer readable data, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a memory (e.g., capable of storing firmware), memory card and a disk, and may also be realized in a carrier wave format (e.g., Internet transmission or Bluetooth transmission.) In some embodiments, the portable device 530, the relay node 520, or the intended receiver 510 shown in
Conclusion
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the system illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the intent of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/872,936, filed on Dec. 4, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5577266 | Takahisa et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5606725 | Hart | Feb 1997 | A |
5991279 | Haugli et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6212398 | Roberts et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6363267 | Lindskog et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6532228 | Burgess et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6741836 | Lee et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
6774926 | Ellis et al. | Aug 2004 | B1 |
6804542 | Haartsen | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6829493 | Hunzinger | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6871078 | Nishioka et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6934566 | Kang et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
6963764 | Jamieson et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6981045 | Brooks | Dec 2005 | B1 |
6993393 | Von Arx et al. | Jan 2006 | B2 |
7061879 | Oprescu-Surcobe et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7072697 | Lappetelainen et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7245631 | Sano et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7277417 | Palm et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7289804 | Kim | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7295827 | Liu et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7337337 | Hong et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7349355 | Sengupta et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7394782 | Davis | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7412265 | Chen et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7466979 | Ohlenbusch et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7480265 | Cromer et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7551948 | Meier et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7653017 | Huylebroeck | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7693117 | Benveniste | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7719482 | Unger | May 2010 | B2 |
7801092 | Meier | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7912467 | Yoon et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7916687 | Deshpande et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7961660 | Beach | Jun 2011 | B2 |
7965837 | Kawasaki et al. | Jun 2011 | B2 |
8064594 | Mohan et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8150424 | Ohlenbusch et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8180408 | Frenger et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8441972 | Kohmann et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
8451759 | Kohmann et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
20020152307 | Doyle et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030055971 | Menon | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030118014 | Iyer et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20040068748 | Currivan et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040072573 | Shvodian | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040218556 | Son et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040253996 | Chen et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050009578 | Liu | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050014464 | Larsson | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050233789 | Maekawa | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050249137 | Todd et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060014557 | Rajkotia et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060129855 | Rhoten et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060270438 | Choi | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070002766 | Park et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070038346 | Ehrlich et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070060152 | Sakamoto et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070118864 | Champion et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070237122 | Liu et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070297438 | Meylan et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080034393 | Crayford | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080130540 | Singh et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080130543 | Singh et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20090279464 | Kakani et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20120195245 | Frenger et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1473870 | Nov 2004 | EP |
1597895 | Nov 2005 | EP |
2004320769 | Nov 2004 | JP |
1020060057515 | Jun 2008 | KR |
WO 2006083559 | Sep 2005 | WO |
WO 2006101801 | Sep 2006 | WO |
Entry |
---|
FreshNews.com, SiBEAM Receives Equity Investment from Best Buy, http://freshnews.com/print/node/261440, Jan. 4, 2010, 2 pages. |
IEEE Wireless LAN Edition (2003), A compilation based on IEEE Std 802.11TM—1999 (R2003) Amendment 4: Further Higher Data Rate Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band, pp. 1-77. |
Jeong et al., Performance of Adaptive Sleep Period Control for Wireless Communications Systems. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, November 2006, 5(11): 3012-3016. |
Jun et al., Affinity-based Power Saving MAC Protocol in Ad Hoc Networks, IEEE 3rd Proceedings of the Int'l Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communication: IEEE PerCom 2005, pp. 363-372. |
International Search Report dated Mar. 14, 2008 for PCT/KR2007/006222, filed Dec. 4, 2007. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion dated Jun. 10, 2009 for PCT/KR2007/006222, filed Dec. 4, 2007. |
International Search Report dated Mar. 11, 2008 for PCT/KR2007/006223, filed Dec. 4, 2007. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion dated Jun. 10, 2009 for PCT/KR2007/006223, filed Dec. 4, 2007. |
International Search Report dated Mar. 17, 2008 for PCT/KR2007/006227, filed Dec. 4, 2006. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion dated Jun. 10, 2009 for PCT/KR2007/006227, filed Dec. 4, 2007. |
Hachman, “CE Giants back Amimon's Wireless HDTV Tech,” PCMAG.com, 1 page (Jul. 23, 2008). |
IEEE 802.15.3: Wireless Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications for High Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), Sep. 29, 2003. |
“NEC develops compact millimeter-wave transceiver for uncompressed HDTV signal transmission,” NE Asia Online, Apr. 5, 2005, (Downloaded from http://neasia.nkkeibp.com/topstory/000913 on Sep. 29, 2006.). |
WirelessHD Specification Version 1.0 Overview, Oct. 9, 2007, 77 pages. |
U.S. Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/946,775 mailed Mar. 23, 2011. |
Korean Office Action dated Sep. 30, 2009 issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0125179, Korean Intellectual Property Office, pp. 1-7, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea (Machine-generated English-language translation attached, pp. 1-3). |
Korean Office Action dated Dec. 31, 2009 issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0125179, Korean Intellectual Property Office, pp. 1-3, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea (Machine-generated English-language translation attached, p. 1). |
Korean Office Action dated Sep. 28, 2009 issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0125180, Korean Intellectual Property Office, pp. 1-6, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea (Machine-generated English-language translation attached, pp. 1-3). |
Korean Office Action dated Dec. 30, 2009 issued in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0125180, Korean Intellectual Property Office, pp. 1-3, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea (Machine-generated English-language translation attached, p. 1). |
U.S. Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/946,775 mailed Oct. 18, 2010. |
U.S. Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 11/946,775 mailed Aug. 30, 2013. |
Caetano, Lianne, SiBEAM—60 GHz Architecture for Wireless Video Display, SiBEAM, Inc. White Paper, Mar. 2006, [Available online: http://www.sibeam.com/whtpapers/60—GHz—for—WirelessHD—3—06.pdf], pp. 1-6. |
U.S. Office Action dated Jun. 24, 2010 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/868,364, filed Oct. 5, 2007. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20080134271 A1 | Jun 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60872936 | Dec 2006 | US |