Software applications and information apparatus supporting output of digital content over a network (e.g., Internet) to an output device (e.g., printer) are herein disclosed and enabled. To output digital content, an application for accessing a service provided over the network is installed, the information apparatus is connected to the local area network of the output device, the output device in the local area network (e.g., IEEE 802.11) is discovered, output device information is received from the discovered output device, and the output device information is transmitted to the service for registering the output device. Subsequent to registration, the information apparatus using an application (e.g., Internet browser, email, document) and having appropriate security or authentication information may transmit digital content to the service to output digital content at the registered output device. The output of digital content does not require a device specific driver that is installed in the information apparatus.

Printing devices (including controllers) supporting printing in a wireless local area network, printing over air, or network printing by registering the printing device with a service over a network are herein disclosed and enabled. The printing device may include wireless communication circuitry that supports part of IEEE 802.11 standards for (1) connecting to a wireless local area network (LAN) to establish communication with an information apparatus that is in the wireless LAN; (2) transmitting device information related to the printing device from the printing device to the information apparatus; and (3) receiving print data from the information apparatus over the wireless LAN for printing at the printing device. The print data is based on the device information transmitted to the information apparatus. A printer driver specific to the printing device may or may not be necessary to be installed in the information apparatus for printing to the printing device.

An image output device includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits, via visible-light communication, information for identifying the image output device as a destination of second communication different from the visible-light communication. The receiving unit receives a print instruction from a mobile information processing device via the second communication in accordance with the information. The transmitting unit stops emission of light for the visible-light communication in response to receipt of the print instruction by the receiving unit.

A controller for transmitting digital content to a television is herein disclosed and enabled. The controller may be included in a television or externally connectable to a television. The controller may be wirelessly managed via a Bluetooth-enabled device or by using a smart phone. To setup the controller, the controller may wirelessly obtain setup information (e.g., ID, security, or authentication information) from either the Bluetooth-enabled device or from the smart phone via wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11), then the controller uses the wirelessly obtained information to access a wireless local area network (LAN) for establishing services. The controller includes chips or chipsets that is compatible with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for accessing the Wireless LAN. After connecting to the Wireless LAN, the controller may further wirelessly receive digital content from a mobile device for playing or outputting the digital content at the television.

A method of transferring digital content from a mobile wireless information apparatus such as a smart phone, an information Pad, or a digital Pad to a wireless output device associated with a television by short range wireless communication. The method may include downloading video digital content from the Internet to the mobile wireless information apparatus and may open a short range wireless communication that is compatible with IEEE802.11 or with Bluetooth standard for output. The method may select a wireless output device associated with the television. Subsequently, the information apparatus may conform the digital content into an output data for transferring the output data over the short range wireless connection to the selected wireless output device associated with the television for output.

Output devices or systems, such as televisions, speakers, projectors, or output controllers, are herein disclosed and enabled for receiving digital content from a digital content service operated, at least partly, over the Internet. The disclosed output device includes wireless communication circuitry and an interface. To set up the output device for receiving and playing digital content, the output device first receives, via the interface, security information, then establishes a wireless local area network connection employing the received security information. Subsequent to having established the wireless local area network connection and using the wireless communication circuitry, the output device connects to a server over a network for downloading and installing software applications or software components for upgrading or modifying the capabilities of the output device. Thereafter, the output device is setup for receiving the digital content from the digital content service using the downloaded and installed software components.

Wireless devices that establish a wireless connection with a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) by wirelessly detecting, within physical proximity, the mobile information apparatus are herein disclosed and enabled. For example, to set up the wireless device (e.g., audio output devices, television controllers, Internet appliances) for connecting with a smart phone, simply place the device and phone within a physical distance for the device and phone to wirelessly discover each other. During wireless detection, the smart phone and the wireless device may exchange, transmit, or receive device information for storing in memory to facilitate future wireless connections. Subsequent to wireless detection and storing of the device information, the device and the smart phone may be locked or paired for wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth connection) such that future wireless connections between the device and the phone can be established without having to repeat the wireless detection.

A method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) and an output system having an interface operable by a user and at least a speaker (e.g., audio output device) are herein disclosed and enabled. The method comprises using the interface of the output system to receive an indication from the user to initiate wireless discovery based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output system. The method additionally comprises using the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly (1) discover the output system, (2) establish a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, and (3) transmit audio output data from the mobile information apparatus to the output system over the established wireless communication link. The output system uses the speaker to output or play at least part of the wirelessly received audio output data.

Software and software applications for mobile devices to wirelessly manage or wirelessly setup an output system or output device are herein disclosed and enabled. Examples of mobile devices include smart phones and information pads having a touch sensitive screen. To set up an output system, the software running at the mobile information apparatus: wirelessly discovers the output system that is within physical proximity to the mobile information apparatus; receives selection of an item related to the wirelessly discovered output system via the touch sensitive screen; establishes a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system; and wirelessly transmits, via the established wireless communication link, security information or authentication information to the output system for setting up the output system for service over a network. The software may further facilitate management of settings of the output system and may further wirelessly drive or control the output system.

An output system, such as a wireless speaker or an Internet appliance, that supports voice activated commands is herein disclosed and enabled. The output system is wirelessly connectable to a service operated over a network (e.g., Internet) for receiving output data from the service. The setup of the output system includes: (1) wirelessly discovering the output system using a smart phone, (2) establishing a wireless communication link between the smart phone and the output system (e.g., via Bluetooth); (4) provide information, such as security and/or authentication information, from the smart phone to the output system via the wireless communication link. Thereafter, the output system, using the information received from the smart phone, establishes a wireless local area network connection and also connects itself to the service over the network. The output system is operable to receive voice activated commands from the user when connected to the service.