Multi-interface streaming media system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12149780-B2
Application number	US-202217978837-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 1, 2022
Priority date	Oct 31, 2011
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

A streaming media device includes a printed circuit board hosting components configured to access internet data. An audio/visual connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted for connection to an audio/visual device, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted to operate with a first audio/visual interface having sufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board and a second audio/visual interface having insufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board. A power connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the power connector selectively receives power based on the audio/visual connector utilizing one of the first audio/visual interface and the second audio/visual interface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A streaming media device, comprising:
a printed circuit board hosting components configured to access internet data through a network interface;
an audio/visual connector linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted for connection to an audio/visual device, wherein the audio/visual connector is compatible and operates in accordance with both a first audio/visual interface and a second audio/visual interface that is different than the first audio/visual interface, the first audio/visual interface having sufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board and the second audio/visual interface having insufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board; and
a power connector linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the power connector is configured to bypass receiving power based on the audio/visual connector utilizing the first audio/visual interface and configured to receive power based on the audio/visual connector utilizing the second audio/visual interface.

2. The streaming media device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio/visual interface is a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) interface.

3. The streaming media device of claim 1 , wherein the second audio/visual interface is a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).

4. The streaming media device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor linked to the printed circuit board and configured for determining power requirements based on a particular audio/visual interface utilized through the audio/visual connector.

5. The streaming media device of claim 4 , further comprising a battery storage linked to the printed circuit board and configured to be charged selectively through one of the power connector and the audio/visual connector.

6. The streaming media device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to coordinate messages transmitted through the audio/visual connector based on the particular audio/visual interface and power received through the power connector.

7. The streaming media device of claim 1 , wherein the audio/visual device is a television.

8. The streaming media device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator linked to the printed circuit board that indicates an operating status of the streaming media device.

9. The streaming media device of claim 8 , wherein the operating status indicates one of that the streaming media device is fully operational or that the streaming media device needs external power.

10. The streaming media device of claim 1 , further comprising a power cord that is removably coupled to the power connector and configured to deliver power to the power connector through an external power source.

11. The streaming media device of claim 10 , wherein the external power source is one of a USB-enabled connection and a wall outlet.

12. The streaming media device of claim 10 , wherein the power cord also functions as an antenna.

13. A method of operating a streaming media device, comprising:
detecting one of a first audio/visual interface or a second audio/visual interface for use with an audio/visual connector that is compatible and operates in accordance with both the first audio/visual interface and the second audio/visual interface that is different than the first audio/visual interface, the first audio/visual interface having sufficient power to fully operate the streaming media device and the second audio/visual interface having insufficient power to fully operate the streaming media device;
determining a power requirement for additional power to operate the streaming media device based on the audio/visual interface and an external power source;
selectively messaging the power requirement outside of the streaming media device; and
determining whether to bypass receiving the additional power via a power connector of the streaming media device based on detecting the first audio/visual interface or to receive the additional power from the power connector based on detecting the second audio/visual interface.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein detecting the audio/visual interface is performed through the audio/visual connector.

15. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising: detecting the external power source via the power connector.

16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein messaging the power requirement comprises displaying the messaging through an indicator on the media streaming device.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the indicator is one of an LED or a display screen.

18. The method according to claim 13 , wherein messaging the power requirement comprises transmitting an informative message from the streaming media device through the audio/visual connector.

19. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the first audio/visual interface is a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) interface.

20. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the second audio/visual interface is a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).

Assignees

• Roku Inc

Inventors

• Klarke Lloyd
• Garner Greg
• Sassenrath Carl
• Wood Anthony
• De Haas Scott Edward

Classifications

• G06F9/52

  Program synchronisation; Mutual exclusion, e.g. by means of semaphores · CPC title

• H04N21/6125

  involving transmission via Internet (transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82) · CPC title

• H04N21/4432

  Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server (resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57) · CPC title

• H04N21/43637

  involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth®, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] (arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114) · CPC title

• H04N21/414

  Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance · CPC title