Abstract: Output systems (e.g., information apparatus, Internet appliances, audio devices or video output devices) supporting voice commands for playing digital content received from a service provided over a network (e.g., Internet) are herein disclosed and enabled. The output system includes a touch sensitive screen interface for receiving security information to access a wireless local area network and for receiving authentication information to access the service over the network. The service may be a paid or subscribed service. While connected to the service, the output system receives voice commands from the user for outputting or playing selected digital content, and, in response to the voice commands, the output system receives, from the service, output data related to the selected digital content for outputting or playing at the output system. The output system may include a digital camera for image data acquisition or video data acquisition and may further be Bluetooth enabled.

Abstract: Wireless printing devices that are configured to register with a service over a network (e.g., Internet) for providing printing services for one or more client devices without printer drivers are herein disclosed and enabled. The printing device may include a touch sensitive screen interface to receive security information for connecting to a wireless local area network (LAN). While connected to the wireless LAN, the printing device accesses the service for registering the printing device, and transmits device information related the printing device to the service. Subsequent to registration, one or more client devices using the service over the network may select the registered printing device for printing, and the printing device is configured to receive output data either from the service or via a computing device within the wireless LAN, and wherein output data is related to the device information transmitted to the service.

Abstract: Mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone, Internet appliances, information pad) and software applications of the mobile information apparatus supporting voice commands for receiving and playing digital content from a service provided over a network (e.g., Internet) are herein disclosed and enabled. The mobile information apparatus may receive, via a touch sensitive screen interface, security information to access a wireless local area network and to access the service over the Internet. The service may be a paid or subscribed service. While connected to the service, the mobile information apparatus may receive voice commands from the user for outputting or playing selected digital content that is available at the service, and, in response to the voice commands, the mobile information apparatus receives, from the service, output data related to the selected digital content for outputting or playing at the output system.

Abstract: Mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone, Internet appliances, information pad) with software applications for receiving digital content from a service provided over a network (e.g., Internet) and for wirelessly playing at least part of the received digital content at a Bluetooth enabled output device are herein disclosed and enabled. To receive and play digital content, the software applications may obtain authentication information for accessing the service, receive a list of one or more digital content that is available from the service for selection on the touch sensitive screen interface, receive a selected digital content from among the list displayed on the touch sensitive screen, receive output data from the service related to the selected digital content, and then either play audio data related to the received output data at a speaker of the mobile information apparatus or wirelessly play the audio data at the Bluetooth enabled output device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Information apparatus and application software supporting printing over air or network are herein disclosed and enabled. The information apparatus may include one or more software components that include (1) a discovery component to discover a supported printer in a local area network (LAN) and to receive device information related to the printer (e.g., capability, language or format supported, identification) from the printer, and (2) a printing component to generate or obtain print data based on the device information received and to transmit the print data to the discovered printer. After establishing the connection to the LAN, application software (e.g., Internet browser, email, photos, documents) in the information apparatus may print digital content by using the discovery component to discover the printer in the LAN, and may use the printing component to obtain and transmit print data in a form that is acceptable to the printer for printing the digital content.

Abstract: Software applications supporting wireless printing are herein disclosed and enabled. The wireless printing from a mobile device may not require a device specific printer driver installed. For example, to print from an application (e.g., browsing application, email application, document application) on a smart phone, the application obtains digital content, displays the digital content on a touch sensitive screen, establishes a wireless local area network connection (e.g., IEEE 802.11) to a network, discovers one or more printers available in the network, receives device information related to a discovered printer, selects a printer for printing the digital content, and selects a print item to transmit output data to the selected printer. The application may register the discovered printer with a service over a network by transmitting the device information to the service.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Smart Phones that support wireless printing of e-mails to a printer in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is disclosed and enabled. The new Smart Phone includes a touch sensitive screen, an operating system, an e-mail application, and a wireless communication unit supporting a protocol within IEEE 802.11 for WLAN communication. To print an email in an inbox of the email application, the smart phone provides a print item on the touch sensitive screen and also a list of one or more printers detected to be available in the WLAN on the touch sensitive screen, subsequent to the user having selected the print item and a selected printer from the list, a print job related to the email is transmitted to the selected printer over the WLAN. Additionally, the smart phone further supports voice activated commands, such as printing or replying to emails received at the Smart Phone.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An output device or controller supporting voice activated commands by using a portable electronic device is herein disclosed and enabled. The output device may be a television, a controller connectable to a television, a printer, a sound output device, or a projector. The portable electronic device for wirelessly managing or driving the output device may include a microphone to receive voice activated commands. The output device includes wireless circuitry to establish a direct wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.) with the portable electronic device, and subsequently, the output device, using the established direct wireless connection, is operable to: wirelessly receive first information from the portable electronic device; wirelessly send to the portable electronic device second information in response to receiving the first information; and wirelessly receive from the portable electronic device data related to voice activated commands from a user.

Abstract: An output device, such as a television or an output controller, that includes a wired interface and a wireless interface for connecting to a local area network is herein disclosed and enabled. The wired interface includes an Ethernet connection, and the wireless interface includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for connecting to a wireless local area network. For added security, the output device may include a user interface to allow the user of the output device to enter a password or security code for accessing the wireless local area network. After connecting to the local area network, whether by wired connection or by wireless communication, the output device is subsequently configured for receiving digital content from a server over the Internet or for connecting to a mobile information apparatus that is within the same network.

Abstract: A wireless device that includes a wireless communication unit compatible with at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 for establishing a wireless local area network is herein disclosed and enabled. To connect the wireless device to a wireless local area network, the wireless device may first establish a Bluetooth connection with a mobile information apparatus, such as smart phone or information pad. Subsequently, the wireless device receives a password or authentication information from the mobile information apparatus for accessing the wireless local area network. Thereafter, the wireless device is connected for receiving or transmitting digital content over the wireless local area network. Additionally, the wireless device may further be connected to the Internet for accessing a service operated over the Internet via the wireless local area network.

Abstract: Anonymous voice communication between a first station and a second station is fascilitated by providing an interface that allows input of a transaction specification from at least one of the first and second stations. A reference code associated with the transaction is generated, there being a defined relationship between the reference code and the address of the second station for voice communication. The reference code is supplied to the first station, and a voice communication request and the reference code are recieved from the first station. The reference code is used to recover said address and a channel for voice communication is opened between said first and second stations. Voice communication can thereby be established between the first and second stations without providing the address of the second station to the first station. An Internet based service system may include one or more servers, software, or storage units for use in data mining user information.