System and method for managing playback of streaming digital content
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- discovering one or more target devices within a local network;
exchanging, by a controller device, at least one unique identifier with each of the one or more target devices to establish a set of associations with the controller device and the one or more target devices;
transmitting information describing the set of associations to a content server machine, wherein the content server machine includes a user account associated with the controller device, and the set of associations associates the user account with the one or more target devices;
causing a first target device included in the one or more target devices to be activated via the content server machine based on the user account to enable the controller device to control the first target device in playing back content stored on the content server machine;
in response to a selection of the first target device to control, determining whether a playback application is installed on the first target device;
if the first target device includes the playback application, then processing one or more user interface commands related to playing back content stored on the content server machine; and
if the first target device does not include the playback application, then transmitting installation information to the first target device that allows the first target device to download the playback application.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for managing playback of digital content on two or more different playback devices. A playback device designated as a controller is associated with a playback device designated as a playback target. Association is implemented via a local network discovery protocol. The controller issues commands to the target, which then streams digital content directly from a content server. The controller is able to separately stream related digital content for independent, but synchronized playback. Server mediated operations, such as device activation and application installation, are advantageously enabled by explicit association between the controller and the target.
89 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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discovering one or more target devices within a local network; exchanging, by a controller device, at least one unique identifier with each of the one or more target devices to establish a set of associations with the controller device and the one or more target devices; transmitting information describing the set of associations to a content server machine, wherein the content server machine includes a user account associated with the controller device, and the set of associations associates the user account with the one or more target devices; causing a first target device included in the one or more target devices to be activated via the content server machine based on the user account to enable the controller device to control the first target device in playing back content stored on the content server machine; in response to a selection of the first target device to control, determining whether a playback application is installed on the first target device; if the first target device includes the playback application, then processing one or more user interface commands related to playing back content stored on the content server machine; and if the first target device does not include the playback application, then transmitting installation information to the first target device that allows the first target device to download the playback application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A controller device, comprising:
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a memory storing instructions; and a processor that is coupled to the memory and, when executing the instructions, is configured to; exchange at least one unique identifier with each of one or more target devices to establish a set of associations with the controller device and the one or more target devices; transmit information describing the set of associations to a content server machine, wherein the content server machine includes a user account associated with the controller device, and the set of associations associates the user account with the one or more target devices; cause a first target device included in the one or more target devices to be activated via the content server machine based on the user account to enable the controller device to control the first target device in playing back content stored on the content server machine; in response to a selection of the first target device to control, determine whether a playback application is installed on the first target device; if the first target device includes the playback application, then process one or more user interface commands related to playing back content stored on the content server machine; and if the first target device does not include the playback application, then transmit installation information to the first target device that allows the first target device to download the playback application. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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10. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by a one or more processors included in a controller device, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
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exchanging, by a controller device, at least one unique identifier with each of the one or more target devices to establish a set of associations with the controller device and the one or more target devices; transmitting information describing the set of associations to a content server machine, wherein the content server machine includes a user account associated with the controller device, and the set of associations associates the user account with the one or more target devices; causing a first target device included in the one or more target devices to be activated via the content server machine based on the user account to enable the controller device to control the first target device in playing back content stored on the content server machine; in response to a selection of the first target device to control, determining whether a playback application is installed on the first target device; if the first target device includes the playback application, then processing one or more user interface commands related to playing back content stored on the content server machine; and if the first target device does not include the playback application, then transmitting installation information to the first target device that allows the first target device to download the playback application. - View Dependent Claims (11, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification