Wireless augmented reality communication system

Abstract

The system of the present invention is a highly integrated radio communication system with a multimedia co-processor which allows true two-way multimedia (video, audio, data) access as well as real-time biomedical monitoring in a pager-sized portable access unit. The system is integrated in a network structure including one or more general purpose nodes for providing a wireless-to-wired interface. The network architecture allows video, audio and data (including biomedical data) streams to be connected directly to external users and devices. The portable access units may also be mated to various non-personal devices such as cameras or environmental sensors for providing a method for setting up wireless sensor nets from which reported data may be accessed through the portable access unit. The reported data may alternatively be automatically logged at a remote computer for access and viewing through a portable access unit, including the user's own.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . A method for providing wireless augmented reality through a network, the method comprising:
 wirelessly accessing the network from a portable access unit through a general purpose node coupled in communication with the network, the general purpose node also coupled in communication with a processor device;   associating the portable access unit with the processor device;   capturing video of a subject matter in the portable access unit;   providing a signal from the portable access unit to the processor device;   responsive to providing the signal, receiving information related to the subject matter; and   displaying the information on the portable access unit.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein displaying the information comprises displaying the information as an overlay to the subject matter. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein displaying information comprises displaying the information in a head set as an overlay to the subject matter. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 sending commands to the processor device from the portable access unit.   
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 presenting a list of remote portable access units available for connection; and   establishing two-way communications with a remote access unit through the general purpose node.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein receiving information comprises receiving video information. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein receiving information comprises receiving audio information. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein receiving information comprises receiving text information. 
   
   
       42 . A portable access unit for receiving information from a processor device through a network, the method comprising:
 a communication device to wirelessly access the network through a general purpose node coupled in communication with the network, the general purpose node also coupled in communication with the processor device, the general purpose node to associate the portable access unit with the processor device;   a camera, coupled to the communication device, the camera to capture video of a subject matter in the portable access unit; and   a display device, coupled to the communication device, the display device to output information related the subject matter, the information received from the processor device responsive to providing the signal.   
   
   
       43 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the portable access unit is a hand-held device. 
   
   
       44 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the display device displays the information as a heads up display. 
   
   
       45 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the display device displays the information as an overlay to the subject matter. 
   
   
       46 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the display device comprises a head set. 
   
   
       47 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 a codec, coupled to the communication device, to the camera, and to the display device, the codec to compress video received from the camera and to decompress video received from the processor device.   
   
   
       48 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 a microphone, coupled to the communication device, the microphone to receive audio commands for the processor device.   
   
   
       49 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the communication device comprises an IEEE 802.11-compatible communication device. 
   
   
       50 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the information comprises video information. 
   
   
       51 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the information comprises audio information. 
   
   
       52 . The portable access unit of  claim 42 , wherein the information comprises text information. 
   
   
       53 . A method for providing wireless augmented reality through a network, the method comprising:
 wirelessly accessing a network from a portable access unit through a general purpose node coupled in communication with the network, the general purpose node also coupled in communication with a plurality of processor devices;   presenting the plurality of processor devices available for connection;   associating the portable access unit with a processor device from the plurality of processor devices;   capturing video of a subject matter in the portable access unit;   providing a signal from the portable access unit to the processor device;   responsive to providing the signal, receiving information related to the subject matter; and   displaying the information through as a heads up display overlaying the information relative to the subject matter.