Method of enabling operation of a player device using a mobile communication device

• US 20030014756A1
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Oliver, Huw Edward
• Application Number:
  US10/192,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20030014756A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/2895 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data provider application, e.g. reverse proxies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A method of enabling player device operation using a mobile communication device involves receiving an identifier on the mobile communication device from a provider system, transmitting the identifier from the mobile communication device to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and transmitting a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation. Appropriate player devices, mobile communication devices and provider systems are described.

Claims

1. A method of enabling player device operation using a mobile communication device, comprising the steps of

receiving an identifier on the mobile communication device from a provider system,

transmitting the identifier from the mobile communication device to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and

transmitting a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the identifier is received by the mobile communication device via a first communication apparatus using a first communication technology, and the identifier and enabling signal are transmitted to the player device via a second communication apparatus using a second communication technology.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of the mobile communication device receiving playable content from the provider system and transmitting the playable content to the player device.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting playable content stored on the mobile communication device to the player device.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the initial step of transmitting a request for playable content from the mobile communication device to the provider system.

6. A mobile communications device having a communication module adapted to receive an identifier from a provider system, transmit the identifier to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and to transmit a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation.

7. A mobile communication device according to claim 6 comprising a first communication apparatus using a first communication technology and a second communication apparatus using a second communication technology.

8. A mobile communication device according to claim 7 wherein the second communication apparatus has a shorter range than the first communication apparatus.

9. A mobile communication device according to claim 7 wherein the first communication technology is cellular radio telephony.

10. A mobile communication device according to claim 7 wherein the second communication technology is an infrared communication technology.

11. A mobile communication device according to claim 7 wherein the second communication technology is a wireless local area networking technology.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of authenticating the identifier prior to commencing playing the playable content.

15. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of ceasing to play the content if an enabling signal is not received.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the enabling signal comprises a periodic repeated signal.

17. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of receiving the playable content to be played from a provider system.

18. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of receiving playable content to be played from the mobile communication device.

20. A player device according to claim 19 wherein the communication apparatus uses a short range communication technology.

21. A player device according to claim 20 wherein the communication technology is an infrared communication technology.

22. A player device according to claim 20 wherein the communication technology is a wireless local area networking technology.

24. A content provision system according to claim 23 wherein the system is operable to transmit the requested content to the player device.

25. A content provision system according to claim 23 wherein the system is operable to transmit the requested content to the mobile communication device.

12. A mobile communication device comprising cellular telephony apparatus, a local networking communication apparatus and a processor, the processor being adapted to control the mobile communication device to receive an identifier from a provider system through the cellular telephony apparatus, transmit the identifier to a player device through the local networking communication apparatus to permit operation of the player device, and to transmit intermittent signals from the mobile communication device through the local networking communication apparatus to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation.

13. A method of operating a player device comprising the steps of:

receiving an identifier from a mobile communications device,

commencing playing playable content in response to receipt of the identifier, and

continuing to play the playable content only on continual receipt of an enabling signal from the mobile communication device.

19. A player device having a processor, a communication apparatus and a content player, the processor being adapted to control the player device to receive an identifier from a mobile communications device through the communication apparatus, to commence playing playable content over the content player in response to receipt of the identifier, and to continue to play the playable content only on continual receipt of an enabling signal from the mobile communication device.

23. A content provision system for use with player devices adapted to play content only on receipt of an identifier, the content provision system comprising stored content, wherein the content provision system comprises a processor adapted to provide content for use by a player device only when the player device receives an identifier, and adapted to provide to a mobile communication device the identifier to enable player devices to play the provided content.

26. A content playing system comprising:

a content provision system with a memory having stored content, a processor adapted to provide content for use by a player device only when the player device receives an identifier, and adapted to provide to a mobile communication device the identifier to enable player devices to play the provided content; and

one or more player devices adapted to play the content on receipt of the identifier.