A Smart Pendant device, System, and Method for Multimedia Communications

Abstract

A smart pendant for multimedia communications is disclosed herein. The smart pendant includes a power supply, a stereo communication link. The stereo communication link is configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over a channel. The smart pendant with the chain includes a housing, capturing means affixed to the housing, a sound output means affixed to the housing, and a display affixed to the housing. The capturing means adapted to record video. The sound output means configured to play audio responsive to the audio signals communicated over the channel. The display configured to play video responsive to the video signals communicated over the channel.

Claims

1. A wearable device for wireless multimedia communications, the device comprising: a power supply; a stereo communication link configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over a channel; a pendant with chain including: a housing, a capturing means affixed to the housing, the capturing means adapted to record video; a sound output means affixed to the housing, the sound output means configured to play audio responsive to the audio signals communicated over the channel; a display affixed to the housing, the display configured to play video responsive to the video signals communicated over the channel.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the capturing means is a camera, and the sound output means has a built in speaker for playing audio and video sound.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a microphone configured to communicate a microphone signal over the channel.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the stereo communication link includes a wireless portion configured to wirelessly communicate to at least one of audio signals and video signals.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wired connector communicably coupled to the stereo communication link, the wired connector including a USB connection configured to transfer data and power to the device.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to operate the device, the user interface is voice operated and the user interface is further configured to operate the capturing means to record and capture the video.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the user interface is physically decoupled from the housing.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the user interface is further configured to play independent audio and video content in the sound output means.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sound output means are configured to switch between communicating audio signals and video signals.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the stereo communications link includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive the at least one of the audio signals and the video signals from a signal source physically decoupled from the device.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to make a Bluetooth connection.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to exhibit both still and video images.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage means for storing audios and videos.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a pendant associated with a chain for securing the device around the neck of a user; a microphone configured to communicate a microphone signal; a wired connector communicably coupled to the stereo communication link, said wired connector including a USB connection configured to transfer data and power to the device; and a user interface configured to operate the device; and wherein the stereo communication link includes a wireless portion configured to wirelessly communicate the at least one of audio signals and video signals over the channel to a controller; wherein the user interface is voice operated; wherein the user interface is physically decoupled from the housing; wherein the user interface is further configured to operate the device; wherein the stereo communications link includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive the at least one of the audio signals and the video signals from a signal source physically decoupled from the device; wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to make a Bluetooth connection; and wherein the display is configured to exhibit both still and video images.

15. A system for playing multimedia, the system comprising: a smart pendant including: a power supply, a stereo communication link configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over a channel; the smart pendant is configured to be worn by a user, the smart pendant has a housing, a speaker affixed to the housing to play audio responsive to the audio signals communicated over the channel, a display affixed to the housing, the display configured to play video responsive to the video signals communicated over the channel; a controller including a user interface, the controller configured to communicate the at least one of audio signals and video signals to the multimedia communications device and further configured as a telephony device; and wherein the smart pendant is adapted to record video via a capturing means and display images and videos played here on the controller including the user interface to the display, the pendant further comprising a sound output means for playing audio and video.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the capturing means is a camera and the sound output means is a built-in speaker in the smart pendant.

17. A method for playing multimedia on a smart pendant, the method comprising: providing a multimedia communications device including a power supply, a stereo communication link configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over a channel; the smart pendant configured to be worn by a user including a housing, a speaker affixed to the housing to play audio responsive to the audio signals communicated over the channel, a display affixed to the housing, the display configured to play video responsive to the video signals communicated over the channel; providing a controller including a user interface, said controller configured to communicate the at least one of audio signals and video signals to the multimedia communications device and further configured as a telephony device; communicably coupling the multimedia communications device with the controller; and communicating audio signals and video signals from the controller to the multimedia communications device; playing audio signals on the sound output means; playing video signals on the display; adapting a pendant to record video via a capturing means and display images and videos played here on the controller including the user interface to the display of the pendant; and conducting a phone call via the to the multimedia communications device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of smart pendant for multimedia communications according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

[0021] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a user wore a smart pendant for multimedia communications and a controller according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

[0022] FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of a multimedia system wherein a user using a smart pendant for multimedia communications according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein; and

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for playing multimedia on the wearable device, according to embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0024] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments, but the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0026] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “having” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases “consisting essentially of,” consists essentially of,” and the like or the respective closed phrases “consisting of,” “consists of, the like.

[0027] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0028] The present invention relates to a telecommunications platform and more particularly to a smart pendant, system, and method for multimedia communications as used to improve wireless communications devices by providing a digital display, independent operations, and enhanced user controls.

[0029] As used herein, ‘means’ or ‘portions’ refers to a device, a system, a hardware, a computer application configured to execute specific functions or instructions according to the embodiments of the present invention. The means or portions may include a single device or multiple devices configured to perform specific functions according to the present invention disclosed herein.

[0030] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C various views of a smart pendant 100 for wireless multimedia communications. The smart pendant 100 feature may be well incorporated in necklace. Referring to FIGS. 1A, a smart pendant device having a chain 102 and a pendant 104 is disclosed. FIG. 1B shows the smart pendant device 100 for wireless multimedia communications wore by a user. FIG. 1C shows the smart pendant 100 for multimedia communications during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the smart pendant device 100 may be beneficial for a user to play multimedia and having enhanced controls. Referring to FIG. 1C, the smart pendant 100 for multimedia communications may comprise a power supply, a stereo communication link, pendant 104 with a chain 102. Referring to FIG. 1B, the smart pendant 100 has a display which shows various control option and current status of multimedia played. The smart pendant 100 may be controlled with a controller 108. The controller 108 may include a smart phone or tablet. The smart pendant may include a Bluetooth 106 and messaging module 110. The power supply and the stereo communication link may be incorporated in or otherwise housed inside the smart pendant 100. The stereo communication link may be configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over a channel. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound output means 116 are configured to switch between communicating audio signals and video signals.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the multimedia communications device or smart pendant 100 may be included in a system 101 for playing multimedia. The system 101 may further include a controller 108 that is configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals to the multimedia communications device 100. The controller 108 may include a user interface 112, for example a plurality of tactile features (e.g., button), a touch pad, etc., which may be configured to operate one or more functions of the smart pendant 100.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the controller 108 may be a telephony device, or otherwise configured to communicate with another remote communication device. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 108 may be embodied as or operable from a mobile communication device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, or the like.

[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 108 may be, but not limited to, a mobile device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a portable computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart device, a smart watch, a smart glass, and so forth. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the multimedia communications device i.e. smart pendant 100 may include a set of instructions. The instructions may provide detailed functional relationships in relation to the structure of the smart pendant 100 so as to properly use, maintain, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[0035] Aspects of embodiments are aimed towards a short-range radio protocol sound device in general (e.g., Bluetooth). The device may be a combination of a listening device and a digital display with software controls to improve the listening experience. It may be used as a stereo to listen to music, or it may be configured to have independent audio and graphic sources for the smart pendant device.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the smart pendant 100 may include a microphone in the housing to allow multiple people to participate in the conversation. For example, one user may use the sound output means to listen to an audiobook or audio input or another source on your smartphone device. The sources may be simply customised using a bespoke interface on a smartphone device using a handy mobile app. The user may also be able to select customised visuals to be displayed on the outer surface of each earpiece via the mobile application. Audio sources (such as phone conversations, audiobooks, stored music, and streaming radio services) may be sent to sound output means 116 which may be a speaker.

[0037] As above, the stereo communication link may be configured to communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over the channel. Each channel may include wired portions, wireless portions, or a combination thereof. According to exemplary aspects of the present invention, the controller 108 may be coupled via the wireless portions. A data network, such as the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and so on, may be included in the wireless portions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stereo communication link includes a wireless portion configured to wirelessly communicate the at least one of audio signals and video signals over the channel to at least one of the headgears.

[0038] The wireless portions of some implementations of the present invention may include a wireless network, such as, but not limited to, a cellular network, and may use various technologies such as Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and so on. The wireless portions of the present invention may comprise or cover networks or sub-networks, each of which may contain, for example, a wired network.

[0039] As shown here, according to one embodiment, the stereo communication link may include a wireless transceiver configured to receive the audio signals and video signals from a signal source (e.g., computer, tablet, media player, smart TV, video game, mobile phone, digital radio, to name a few) that is physically decoupled from the smart pendant 100.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, a wired connector may be communicably coupled to the stereo communication link. The wired connector may include a USB connection configured to transfer data and power to the device 100. Further, the device 100 may comprise the user interface 112 that may be configured to operate the device 100. The stereo communication link may include a wireless portion configured to wirelessly communicate the at least one of audio signals and video signals over the channel to a controller including a user interface.

[0041] The multimedia communications device 100 may further include a processor and a storage means 120 for storing audios and videos, and a local user interface. As used herein, the storage means 120 may be a ‘memory’ that refers to a local or remote memory device or a database capable to store metadata. In an embodiment, the memory may be a database server, a cloud storage, a remote database, a local database.

[0042] The processor may be configured to perform various functions such as process and segregate signalling to and from the smart pendant 100 to a controller 108 and distribute power from the power supply.

[0043] As used herein, ‘processor’ is an intelligent device or module, that is capable of processing digital logics and also possesses analytical skills for analysing and processing various metadata and user related data or information, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processing unit may also refer to any computer processing unit comprising, but not limited to, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor.

[0044] The processor may also be configured to drive the sound output means 116, the display 118. The memory may be communicably coupled to the processor and configured to store operation/control information and/or content to be played over the sound output means 116. The display 118 may be configured to exhibit both still and video images.

[0045] The local user interface may include a plurality of tactile features (e.g., button), a touch pad, etc., which may be configure to operate one or more functions of the multimedia communications device 100. According to one embodiment, the device 100 may be independently powered and controlled. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 112 may be further configured to play independent audio and video content in the sound output means 116. Further, the user interface 112 may be physically decoupled from the housing.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the multimedia communications device/smart pendant 100 may further include a microphone that may be configured to communicate a microphone signal. For example, a microphone may be coupled to the housing, for example, and further configured to communicate the microphone signal over at least one of the channels.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the multimedia communication device/smart pendant 100 may be configured for a wired connector. As shown, the wired connector may be communicably coupled to the stereo communication link. According to one embodiment, the wired connector may include a standardized and/or powered connector, such as a USB connection, configured to transfer data and power to the smart pendant 100.

[0048] The smart pendant 100 may be associated with the controller 108 of the system 101. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 108 may be such as, but not limited to, a mobile communication device which may be a smartphone. The smart pendant 100 may comprise the display 118 that may be configured to display images or videos. In an embodiment of the present invention, the smart pendant 100 may be adapted to record video via a capturing means 114. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the capturing means may be a camera. Further, the smart pendant 104 may display images and videos played here and controlled by the controller 108 including the user interface 112 to the display 118. Furthermore, the pendant 104 may further comprise the sound output means for playing audio and video. In an exemplary scenario, the audio signals and the video signals may be communicated to the smart pendant (display 118) via the controller 108. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller 108 may be the smart phone or a user device. Notably, the user device may be connected through the communication network, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] According to embodiments of the present invention, the user device (controller 108) may be configured to communicate with each other by one or more communication mediums connected to the communication network. The communication mediums include, but are not limited to, a coaxial cable, a copper wire, a fiber optic, a wire that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of a computing device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication mediums, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 112 may be configured to operate the smart pendant 100. Further, the user interface 112 may be voice operated and the user interface 112 is further configured to operate the capturing means 114, which may be a camera to record and capture the video

[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 for playing multimedia on the wearable device, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] At 202, the method 200 for playing multimedia may include one or more components or features of the smart pendant 100 for multimedia communications as described above. The method 200 may provide a multimedia communications device comprising the power supply and the method 200 may go ahead to 204.

[0053] At 204, the method 200 for playing multimedia may communicate at least one of audio signals and video signals over the channel through the stereo communication link.

[0054] At 206, the method 200 for playing multimedia may configure the smart pendant 100. The smart pendant 100 may be worn by a user. Further, the smart pendant 100 may include a housing.

[0055] At 208, the method 200 for playing multimedia may comprise the speaker 116 affixed to the housing to play audio responsive to the audio signals communicated over the channel.

[0056] At 210, the method 200 for playing multimedia may affix the display 118 to the housing 104. In an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display 118 may be configured to play video responsive to the video signals communicated over the channel.

[0057] At 212, the method 200 for playing multimedia may provide a controller 108 including the user interface 112. The controller 108 may be configured to communicate the at least one of audio signals and video signals to the smart pendant 100 and further configured as a telephony device. In an embodiment of the present invention, the smart pendant 100 may be communicably coupled with the controller 112.

[0058] At 214, the method 200 for playing multimedia may communicate audio signals and video signals from the controller 108 to the smart pendant 100.

[0059] At 216, the method 200 for playing multimedia may play audio signals on the sound output means 116.

[0060] At method 218, the method 200 for playing multimedia playing video signals on the display.

[0061] At 220, the method 200 for playing multimedia may adapt the neck pendant 100 to record video via the capturing means 114 and display images and videos played here on the controller 108 including the user interface 112 to the display of the smart pendant 100.

[0062] At 222, the method 200 for playing multimedia may conduct a phone call via the to the smart pendant 100.

[0063] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

[0064] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0065] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.