Apparatus and method for coordinated music playback in wireless ad-hoc networks
First Claim
1. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:
- establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;
sending a first message from the first apparatus to a public channel;
scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to the second apparatus;
responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus to direct the first apparatus to a private channel;
sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;
performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;
sending the second profile to the first apparatus;
performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus;
selecting a song from the first and the second profiles by the first apparatus; and
synchronizing playing the song in the first and the second apparatuses.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention details a novel application of wireless networking and digital music technologies to achieve coordinated and synchronized music playback among peer listeners connected by wireless ad-hoc networks. Two or more listeners in local proximity allowed by short-range wireless transmission can participate and listen to the same song at the same time. Moreover, the present invention allows listeners in the transmission range to discover each other through profile matching. A high matching score may indicate similar preference or taste to a certain music style thereby easily locating mutual interests, which would not have been possible.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;
sending a first message from the first apparatus to a public channel;
scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to the second apparatus;
responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus to direct the first apparatus to a private channel;
sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;
performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;
sending the second profile to the first apparatus;
performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus;
selecting a song from the first and the second profiles by the first apparatus; and
synchronizing playing the song in the first and the second apparatuses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;
sending a first message from the first apparatus to a public channel;
scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to the second apparatus;
responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus to direct the first apparatus to a private channel;
selecting a song; and
synchronizing playing the song in the apparatuses. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;
exchanging a sequence of messages between the first apparatus and the second apparatus;
selecting a song; and
synchronizing playing the song in the apparatuses. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An interactive multi-party linking music listening system comprising at least two listening apparatuses communicating over a wireless ad-hoc network, wherein one of the listening apparatuses is a first listening apparatus, the first listening apparatus at least comprising:
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a first signature to identify the first listening apparatus;
a plurality of channels for communicating between the listening apparatuses, wherein the channels include at least one public channel for advertising the first signature;
a controlled interface for enabling interactive communication over the wireless ad-hoc network;
a random access controller for instructing the channels to be in use and storing signatures of listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus;
a wireless transceiver connected to the random access controller, for receiving and sending messages over the wireless ad-hoc network and relaying messages to the random access controller;
a profile storage and matching unit connected to the random access controller, for storing music preference as a first profile and perform matching between profiles of the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus; and
a music playback unit connected to the random access controller, for storing and playing music, whereby the first listening apparatus can synchronize playing music with the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus with agreement from all parties. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An interactive multi-party linking music listening system comprising at least two listening apparatuses communicating over a wireless ad-hoc network, wherein one of the listening apparatuses is a first listening apparatus, the first listening apparatus at least comprising:
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a first signature to identify the first listening apparatus;
a plurality of channels for communicating between the listening apparatuses, wherein channels include at least one public channel for advertising the first signature;
a controlled interface for enabling interactive communication over the wireless ad-hoc network;
a random access controller for instructing the channels to be in use and storing signatures of listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus;
a wireless transceiver connected to the random access controller, for receiving and sending messages over the wireless ad-hoc network and relaying messages to the random access controller;
a display screen, for showing signatures or names or information of the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus to a user;
a selection device that the user uses to accept or reject the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus;
a music playback unit connected to the random access controller, for storing and playing music, whereby the first listening apparatus can synchronize playing music with the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus with agreement from all parties. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification