ACOUSTIC SIGNALLING TO SWITCH FROM INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMUNICATION MODE TO AD HOC COMMUNICATION MODE
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates generally to acoustic signaling to switch from an
infrastructure communication mode to an ad hoc communication mode.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices that employ wireless communication, including many modern audio video
display devices (AVDD) such as TVs, can communicate using existing communication
structure for a variety of tasks. Most simplistically AVDDs communicate with cable head
ends over existing cable systems, with satellite receivers over an existing link, and of
course with terrestrial broadcast stations over existing broadcast channels. Many AVDDs
now also have Internet connectivity, communicating with the Internet using a wireless
Internet interface that typically communicates with a wireless access point. In this way the
AVDD can download firmware updates from an Internet server, obtain content from the
Internet, enable a user to browse the Internet, etc.
As understood herein, ad hoc communication systems have become widespread in
which typically short-range communication such as but not limited to Bluetooth is used on
an ad hoc basis between two devices. Upon mutual detection the two devices can begin
communicating on an individualized private short-range communication link. As an
example of when ad hoc communication may be employed in a home, a user of a smart
phone or camera may wish for the smart phone or camera to send images to the AVDD for
display thereon of pictures or videos captured by the smart phone or camera or for
playback on the AVDD of audio captured by the smart phone or camera.
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As also understood herein, such communication can present issues for the user to
overcome, particularly when the TV is communicating in the infrastructure mode. When
this occurs, the user must decide whether to switch the smart or camera to the somewhat
more complicated infrastructure mode to communicate with the AVDD, or switch the
AVDD to the ad hoc mode, in which case communication of the AVDD in the
infrastructure mode may be deleteriously interrupted unless the user is aware of the
ongoing communication and takes manual steps to avoid interfering with it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to principles set forth further below, an audio video display device
(AVDD) includes a processor, a video display, and computer readable storage medium
bearing instructions executable by the processor. Using the instructions stored on the
computer readable storage medium, the processor can detect a non-RF signal and can
direct the mode of communication to be in either an infrastructure mode or an ad hoc
mode. The AVDD also includes an audio sensor, an infrastructure mode communication
interface, and an ad hoc mode communication interface.
A second computerized device configured for communicating at least in the ad hoc
mode can include a second processor, a second audio signal generator, and a second ad
hoc mode communication interface. The second computerized device can send a non-RF
signal to the AVDD indicating a request for the AVDD to enter the ad hoc mode to
communicate thereby with the second computerized device.
The AVDD may include a TV and the second computerized device can be a
wireless telephone or a camera. The ad hoc mode can be a Bluetooth communication mode
and the infrastructure mode can use the Internet, although both may use the same physical
layer with different software layers.
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The non-RF signal may be an acoustic tonal pattern, and the AVDD can enter the
ad hoc mode only responsive to a determination that the tonal pattern meets at least one
predetermined criterion, which can be a match with a test pattern accessible to the first
processor. The non-RF signal may alternatively be an infrared signal or a visible signal
and can be sent only in response to a user command to send the audio signal.
The processor of the AVDD, responsive to receiving the non-RF signal, may
present a prompt to a user of the AVDD to switch the communication mode from the
infrastructure mode to the ad hoc mode. The AVDD can switch to the ad hoc mode in
response to a user command to switch communication mode from the infrastructure mode
to the ad hoc mode. The non-RF signal may alternatively be sent automatically without
user intervention responsive to the second computing device determining that the AVDD
is in ad hoc mode proximity to the second computing device.
The processor of the AVDD responsive to receiving the non-RF signal when in the
infrastructure mode and, prior to switching to the ad hoc mode, may pause at least one
transaction being conducted in the infrastructure mode. The processor of the AVDD may
then switch to the ad hoc mode to communicate with the second computing device.
The processor of the AVDD may send an acknowledgement to the second
computing device in response to a switch to ad hoc mode. The acknowledgement sent to
the second computing device can be either an audio acknowledgement or an RF
acknowledgement.
In an alternate embodiment, an audio video display device (AVDD) can include at
least one processor, at least one video display controlled by the processor, and at least one
microphone detecting audio signals. The processor of the AVDD can be programmed to
communicate in an infrastructure mode, receive an audio signal from the microphone
while in the infrastructure mode, determine if the audio signal satisfies at least one switch
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criterion, and switch communication from the infrastructure mode to an ad hoc mode in
response to a determination that the audio signal satisfies the switch criterion. Prior to
switching communication from the infrastructure mode to the ad hoc mode, the processor
of the AVDD may present a user interface (UI) that can include a first selection to switch
to the ad hoc mode and a second selection not to switch to the ad hoc mode in response to
a determination that the audio signal satisfies the switch criterion. Alternatively, the UI
can include a third selection related to current infrastructure mode transactions.
In another embodiment, a mobile device (MD) may include at least one processor
configured to communicate in an ad hoc mode and at least one speaker receiving signals
generated by the processor and generating an audio signal in response. The processor may
be programmed to signal the speaker to generate the audio signal, such as but not limited
to a tonal pattern, in response to a determination that a target device is in ad hoc mode
proximity to the MD. The tonal pattern can define a period, and hence can be autocorrelated
by the target device to improve detection accuracy by facilitating averaging and
autocorrelation by the target device. The tonal pattern may be periodic or define a
periodic sequence.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best
be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a non-limiting example system in accordance with
present principles;
Figures 2-4 are flow charts illustrating example logic in accordance with present
principles; and
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Figures 5-7 are screen shots illustrating various principles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring initially to the non-limiting example embodiment shown in Figure 1, a
system 10 includes an audio video display device (AVDD) 12 such as a TV including a
TV tuner 16 communicating with a TV processor 18 accessing a tangible computer
readable storage medium 20 such as disk-based or solid state storage. The AVDD 12 can
output audio on one or more non-radiofrequency (non-RF) transmitters 22. When the
below-described infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal is acoustic, the non-RF transmitters
disclosed herein can be audio speakers. In other embodiments, the below-described
infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal can be infrared (IR), in which case the non-RF
transmitters can be, e.g., IR-emitting diodes or other IR-emitting light sources. Yet again,
the below-described infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal can be visual, in which case the
non-RF transmitters can be, e.g., visible bar codes that reflect visible light.
The AVDD 12 can receive streaming video, firmware updates, etc. from one or
more servers 23 through the Internet as shown using a built-in wired or wireless network
interface 24 (such as a modem or router) communicating with the processor 12 which may
execute a software-implemented browser.
Video is presented under control of the TV processor 18 on a TV display 26 such
as but not limited to a high definition TV (HDTV) flat panel display. The display 26 may
be a three dimensional (3D) TV display that presents simulated 3D images to a person
wearing 3D glasses watching the TV or otherwise, e.g., using holograms or other 3D
technology. For example, the display 26 may be an autostereoscopic display, or active
shuttered 3D glasses that the viewer wears to view a sequential display 26 is also
contemplated.
User commands to the processor 18 may be wirelessly received from a remote
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control (RC) 28 using, e.g., rf or infrared. Audio-video display devices other than a TV
may be used, e.g., smart phones, game consoles, personal digital organizers, notebook
computers and other types of computers, etc.
TV programming from one or more terrestrial TV broadcast sources as received by
a terrestrial broadcast antenna which communicates with the AVDD 12 may be presented
on the display 26 and receiver 22. The terrestrial broadcast programming may conform to
digital ATSC standards and may carry within it a terrestrial broadcast EPG, although the
terrestrial broadcast EPG may be received from alternate sources, e.g., the Internet via
Ethernet, or cable communication link, or satellite communication link.
TV programming from a cable TV head end may also be received at the TV for
presentation of TV signals on the display 26 and speakers. When basic cable only is
desired, the cable from the wall typically carries TV signals in QAM or NTSC format and
is plugged directly into the "F-type connector" on the TV chassis in the U.S., although the
connector used for this purpose in other countries may vary. In contrast, when the user
has an extended cable subscription for instance, the signals from the head end are typically
sent through a STB which may be separate from or integrated within the TV chassis but in
any case which sends HDMI baseband signals to the TV when the source is external to the
TV. Other types of connections may be used, e.g., MOCA, USB, 1394 protocols, DLNA.
Similarly, HDMI baseband signals transmitted from a satellite source of TV
broadcast signals received by an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) associated with a home
satellite dish may be input to a HDMI/CEC port of the AVDD 12 for presentation on the
display 26 and speakers. Also, streaming video may be received from the Internet for
presentation on the display 26 and speakers. The streaming video may be received at the
network interface 24 or it may be received at an in-home modem that is external to the
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AVDD 12 and conveyed to the AVDD 12 over a wired or wireless Ethernet link and
received at an RJ45 or 802.11x antenna on the TV chassis.
Also, in some embodiments one or more non-RF receivers 30 may be connected to
the processor 18 to provide to the processor 18 signals representing audible sounds input
to the non-RF receiver 30. The non-RF receivers are complementary to the non-RF
transmitters, such that when the below-described infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal is
acoustic, the non-RF receivers disclosed herein can be audio sensors such as microphones.
In other embodiments, the below-described infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal can be
infrared (IR), in which case the non-RF receivers can be, e.g., IR receivers. Yet again, the
below-described infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal can be visual, in which case the non-
RF receivers can be, e.g., imaging devices such as cameras that can image, e.g., bar codes
for input thereof to the associated processor.
Recognizing that a visual infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal typically requires
greater processing power to analyze, in preferred embodiments the infrastructure-to-ad hoc
mode signal is either IR or acoustic, since relatively lower processing power can be used
by the receiving device including, for example, the low power processor of a TV in the
sleep mode.
The processor 18 may also communicate with an infrared (IR) or radiofrequency
(RF) transceiver 32 for establishing ad hoc communications with a mobile (MD) 34. The
transceiver 32 may be, without limitation, a Bluetooth transceiver. The MD 34 may
include a MSCD processor 36 accessing a computer readable storage medium 38 and
communicating signals to and from the AVDD 12 through a communication interface 40
such as a transceiver configured to communicate with the transceiver 34 of the AVDD 12.
The transceivers 32, 40 may be, without limitation, WiFi transceivers, Bluetooth
transceivers, etc.
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The MD 34 may also include a video display 42 that may be a touch screen
display. The MD 34 may also have one or more cameras 44 communicating image
information to the MSCD processor 36. Also, the MD 34 may include one or more non-
RF transmitters such as audio signal generators such as but not limited to speakers 46
receiving signals from the processor 36 for audible display, a non-RF receiver such as a
microphone 48 inputting signals to the processor 36 representing audible signals detected
by the microphone 48, and a typically wireless Internet interface 50. As stated above,
however, the non-RF receiver and transmitter may operate in the visual or IR spectrum. A
user may input commands to the processor 36 using an input device 52 such as but not
limited to a keypad. The MD 34 may be, without limitation, any portable device such as a
smart phone, laptop or tablet computer, portable game console, camera, and the like.
In accordance with description set forth further below, in the embodiment that uses
an audio infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal, the audio signals generated by the audio
signal generator may be a tonal pattern that defines a period, and so a detecting device
(such as the AVDD) can more easily determine if the tonal pattern satisfies a criterion
such as whether it matches a prestored test pattern using signal averaging and
autocorrelation. The tonal pattern can be a telephone-like dual tone multi frequency
(DTMF) pattern. Or, the tonal pattern can be a pseudo-random soft "noise" signal that
sounds to a human like random noise such as a quiet chirp, but that, owing to its pseudorandom
nature, is recognized by the receiving processor as a mode switch signal using
autocorrelation principles.
Note that some communication systems may require a default service set identifier
(SSID) or other network name and/or encryption keys. In such systems, a common default
SSID and encryption key can be published to all device manufacturers and sent in the
infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal to effect the mode switch.
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While the above description discusses an AVDD and MD, present principles apply
to mobile device to mobile device mode switching as well.
The ensuing discussion assumes that the infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signal is
acoustic. It is to be understood that the logic and UIs described below apply equally to IR
and visible infrastructure-to-ad hoc mode signals mutatis mutandis.
Note that by "non-RF" is relative to the electromagnetic spectrum and as used
herein means the electromagnetic spectrum defined by the visible and IR wavelengths, in
addition to acoustic waves. Note further that by "ad hoc" and "infrastructure" mode is
meant the modes described by IEEE 802.11. Briefly, a basic service set (BSS) is a set of
all stations that can communicate with each other. There are two types of BSS:
Independent BSS (also referred to as IBSS), and infrastructure BSS. Every BSS has an
identification (ID) called the BSSID, which is the MAC address of the access point
servicing the BSS. An independent BSS (IBSS) is an ad-hoc network that contains no
access points, which means they cannot connect to any other basic service set. An
infrastructure can communicate with other stations not in the same basic service set by
communicating through access points. An ad hoc network is a network where stations
communicate only peer to peer (P2P). There is no base and no one gives permission to
talk.
Moving in reference to Figure 2, the processor 18 carries out an action in response
to user selection or when proximity is sensed at block 54. The action carried out by the
processor 18 may be to send a tonal (audible) pattern to a target device to go to an ad hoc
mode at block 56. Alternatively, another non-RF signal such as an IR signal or visible
wavelength signal may be sent according to present principles. However, for ease of
disclosure the description below, which applies equally to other non-RF signal types,
assumes an acoustic tonal signal is sent.
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Figure 3 illustrates the detection of tonal pattern by the processor 38 of the target
device 34 at block 58. The processor 38 determines whether the tonal pattern is a match
with a prestored pattern at decision diamond 60. If the tonal pattern detected at block 58 is
not a match, the flow of logic ends. However, if the tonal pattern does match the ad hoc
pattern, the logic moves to Figure 4.
The logic diagram in Figure 4 begins at decision diamond 62, at which point the
processor 18 determines whether user notification is enabled. In the case of the user
notification being enabled, the logic flows to block 64, where a prompt to switch to ad hoc
mode is presented on the target device. If the user notification is not enabled at decision
diamond 62, or once the user selects to switch to ad hoc mode at block 64, a switch to ad
hoc after pausing any operation in infrastructure mode is carried out at block 66.
An acknowledgement of the switch to ad hoc mode can be sent acoustically or over
a wireless ad hoc link at block 68. The logic flows to block 70, at which point
communication is performed in ad hoc mode.
Figure 5 illustrates an example UI 72 on the display 42 of the mobile device 34. In
this embodiment, the UI 72 presents the user with the information of proximity to a TV
and prompts the user to switch to an ad hoc mode. The user may select either “Yes” or
“No.”
A UI 74, shown in Figure 6, may also be presented on the video display 26 of the
AVDD 12 responsive to selection of "yes" in Figure 5. The user is presented with
information that the mobile device 34 is requesting to switch the AVDD, a TV in this
embodiment, from infrastructure mode to ad hoc mode at the top of the UI 74. The user of
the AVDD 12 is also presented with plural selectable elements. A selectable element 76 if
selected by a user switches the AVDD 12 to ad hoc mode immediately without saving or
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pausing the infrastructure transaction. The user may select element 78 to not switch to ad
hoc or may select element 80 to list the current infrastructure transaction list.
An infrastructure transaction list UI 82 is shown is Figure 7 responsive to selection
of the element 80 in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the current infrastructure transactions
are listed as “firmware update” and “content push.” User selection of a selector element 84
pauses the current transactions and switches the device to ad hoc mode. The user may also
elect to cancel the selected transactions and switch to ad hoc immediately by selecting
element 86. A selection of the element 88 shown in Figure 7 causes the selected
transactions to be completed, only after which is the switch to ad hoc mode made.
While the particular ACOUSTIC SIGNALLING TO SWITCH FROM
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMUNICATION MODE TO AD HOC
COMMUNICATION MODE is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be
understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is
limited only by the claims.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. System comprising:
first computerized device configured for communicating in an infrastructure mode
and an ad hoc mode, the first computerized device comprising:
first processor;
first non-RF signal sensor;
first infrastructure mode communication interface;
first ad hoc mode communication interface; and
second computerized device configured for communicating at least in the ad hoc
mode, the second computerized device comprising:
second processor;
second non-RF signal generator;
second ad hoc mode communication interface; wherein
the second computerized device sends a non-RF signal to the first computerized
device indicating a request for the first computerized device to enter the ad hoc mode to
communicate thereby with the second computerized device.
2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the first computerized device is an audio
video display device (AVDD).
3. The system of Claim 2, wherein the AVDD includes a TV.
4. The system of Claim 3, wherein the second computerized device is a
wireless telephone or a camera.
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5. The system of Claim 4, wherein the ad hoc mode is a Bluetooth
communication mode and the infrastructure mode uses the Internet.
6. The system of Claim 1, wherein the non-RF signal is an acoustic tonal
pattern, and the first device enters the ad hoc mode only responsive to a determination that
the tonal pattern meets at least one predetermined criterion.
7. The system of Claim 6, wherein the criterion is a match with a test pattern
accessible to the first processor.
8. The system of Claim 1, wherein the non-RF signal is an infrared signal.
9. The system of Claim 1, wherein the non-RF signal is a visible signal.
10. The system of Claim 1, wherein the non-RF signal is sent only in response
to a user command to send the audio signal.
11. The system of Claim 1, wherein the non-RF signal is sent automatically
without user intervention responsive to the second computing device determining that the
first computing device is in ad hoc mode proximity to the second computing device.
12. The system of Claim 1, wherein the first computing device responsive to
receiving the non-RF signal presents a prompt to a user of the first computing device to
switch communication mode from the infrastructure mode to the ad hoc mode, the first
computing device switching to the ad hoc mode in response to a user command,
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responsive to the prompt, to switch communication mode from the infrastructure mode to
the ad hoc mode.
13. The system of Claim 1, wherein the first computing device responsive to
receiving the non-RF signal when in the infrastructure mode and prior to switching to the
ad hoc mode pauses at least one transaction being conducted in the infrastructure mode,
and then switches to the ad hoc mode to communicate with the second computing device.
14. The system of Claim 1, wherein the first computing device responsive to
switching to the ad hoc mode in response to receiving the non-RF signal returns an audio
acknowledgment to the second computing device.
15. The system of Claim 1, wherein the first computing device responsive to
switching to the ad hoc mode in response to receiving the non-RF signal returns an RF
acknowledgment to the second computing device.
16. An audio video display device (AVDD) comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one video display controlled by the processor;
at least one microphone detecting audio signals; wherein the processor is
programmed to:
communicate in an infrastructure mode;
receive an audio signal from the microphone while in the infrastructure
mode;
determine if the audio signal satisfies at least one switch criterion; and
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responsive to a determination that the audio signal satisfies the switch
criterion, switch communication from the infrastructure mode to an ad hoc mode.
17. The AVDD of Claim 16, wherein responsive to a determination that the
audio signal satisfies the switch criterion and prior to switching communication from the
infrastructure mode to the ad hoc mode, the processor presents on the display a user
interface (UI) including a first selection to switch to the ad hoc mode and a second
selection not to switch to the ad hoc mode.
18. The AVDD of Claim 17, wherein the UI includes a third selection related
to current infrastructure mode transactions.
19. A mobile device (MD) comprising:
at least one processor configured to communicate in an ad hoc mode; and
at least one speaker receiving signals generated by the processor and generating an
audio signal in response;
the processor being programmed to signal the speaker to generate the audio signal
responsive to a determination that a target device is in ad hoc mode proximity to the MD.
20. The MD of claim 19, wherein the audio signal is a tonal pattern.
21. The MD of Claim 20, wherein the audio signal is unidirectional.
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22. The MD of Claim 20, wherein the tonal pattern defines a period, and hence
can be auto-correlated by the target device to improve detection accuracy by facilitating
averaging and autocorrelation by the target device.