System and method for creating a collaborative playlist

• US 20060195521A1
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: New, Matthew, Baird, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,818,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3344 using natural language analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4393 Multimedia presentations, e.g. slide shows, multimedia albums
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/637 Administration of user profiles, e.g. generation, initialization, adaptation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6236 between heterogeneous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0038 System on Chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/01 Automatic library building
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 : Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 : Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 : applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 : Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0263 : Rule management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 : Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 : Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 : Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 : The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• 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 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 : Multimedia

Abstract

A method, server, and user interface associated with creating a collaborative playlist between one or more users based on user interaction with a media program. In one embodiment, the media program is an instant messaging application.

Claims

1. A method for creating a collaborative playlist comprising:

establishing, via instant messaging, a communication between a first user at a first computing device and a second user at a second computing device;

providing, for display on each of said first computing device and said second computing device, a playlist application accessible by both said first user and said second user for essentially simultaneous interaction by said users with a playlist creation tool for collaboratively creating a playlist usable to play media files; and

accepting a media file identifier selected by either one or both of the users for inclusion on said playlist.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that is identified by said media file identifier.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said media file identifier is acquired from a server.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said media file identifier is acquired from said first user'"'"'s local media library.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said media file identifier is acquired from said second user'"'"'s local media library.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said media file identifier is acquired from a third user'"'"'s local media library.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is a pointer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is a uniform resource locator.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is user-defined.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is server-defined.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is a musical genre.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier indicates the identity of the contributor of the media file.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is an artist name.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier identifies a site on a network from which an associated media file may be streamed.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be acquired by downloading said media file to either one or both of said first and said second computing device from a remote database of media files.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be acquired by locating said media file on either one or both of said first and said second computing device.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be acquired by streaming said media file.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be downloaded to one or both of said first and said second computing device from a remote database of media files.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be located on either one or both of said first and said second computing device.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said playlist can be saved to each user'"'"'s respective computing device, at each user'"'"'s respective option.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein either one or both of said first computing device and said second computing device comprises a portable media player.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein either one or both of said first computing device and said second computing device comprises a personal digital assistant.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein either one or both of said first computing device and said second computing device comprises a cellular telephone.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein either one or both of said first computing device and said second computing device comprises a personal computer.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file comprises an audio file.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file comprises a video file.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein said playlist creation tool comprises a user interface for building said collaborative playlist.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said user interface comprises an area for displaying of said collaborative playlist.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said user interface comprises an area for displaying the results of a search performed by either one or both of first user and second user.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein said playlist creation tool comprises a searching software module that allows either one or both of said first and said second user to search for said media file identifier from a media file source.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said media file source comprises an on-demand streaming media file service.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein said media file source comprises either one or both of said first and said second user'"'"'s local media library.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein the media file source comprises a third user'"'"'s media file library.

34. The method of claim 1 wherein said playlist creation tool comprises a searching software module that allows a user to search by input criteria for at least one media file identifier from a media file source.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said input criteria comprises an artist name.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein said input criteria comprises an album name.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein said input criteria comprises an media file title.

38. The method of claim 34 wherein said input criteria comprises a list of recommended media files.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein said input criteria comprises a set of highly rated media files.

40. The method of claim 1 wherein said selection of said media file identifier to be included in said collaborative playlist is via a single icon on a user interface which allows each user to add said media file identifier to be included in said collaborative playlist via a single click of said icon.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein upon adding said media file identifier to said playlist, said media file identifier is displayed essentially simultaneously on said playlist.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein said selection of said media file identifier to be included in said collaborative playlist is via dragging and dropping said media file identifier from a first area to a second area of said user interface.

43. The method of claim 1 wherein said playlist creation tool comprises a browser to permit browsing for media file identifiers from multiple media file sources.

44. The method of claim 1 wherein said first user and said second user communicate via server.

45. The method of claim 1 wherein said first user and said second user communicate via a network.

46. The method of claim 1 wherein said first user and said second user communicate via the internet.

47. The method of claim 1 further comprising facilitating the display of said playlist at each user'"'"'s computing device.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein said playlist can be saved to each user'"'"'s respective computing device, at each user'"'"'s respective option.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein, via said provided playlist application, each user can independently edit said playlist from each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein upon editing, each user'"'"'s edits are only displayed on each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

51. The method of claim 1 wherein the ability of each user to access a media file associated with said media file identifier is governed by a permission level.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein said permission level is controlled by a subscription from a service provider.

81. The user interface of claim 8Q wherein said input criteria is selected via a drop down menu and a corresponding text field box.

52. The method of 51 wherein said permission level is associated with the media file.

54. A server that distributes data for collaborative playlist creation, the server comprising:

a communications software module that establishes communication with a first user at a first computing device and a second user at a second computing device; and

a data distribution software module that receives a first data set associated with a first media file from the first computing device and transmits the first data set to the second computing device, the data distribution software module receiving a second data set associated with a second media file from a second computing device and transmitting the second data set to the first computing device so that the first computing device can include an identifier of the second media file in a playlist that is essentially simultaneously viewed on the first computing device and the second computing device.

55. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first data set and said second data set comprises a media file identifier.

56. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first data set and said second data set comprises a name.

57. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first data set and said second data set comprises a uniform resource locator.

58. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first data set and said second data set comprises a pointer.

59. The server of claim 54 wherein said second media file is obtainable by downloading said second media file from said server.

60. The server of claim 54 wherein said second media file is obtainable by streaming said second media file from said server.

61. The server of claim 54 wherein said second media file is obtainable from a local storage medium of either one or both of said first and said second computing device.

62. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first and second media file is an audio file.

63. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first and second media file is a video file.

64. The server of claim 54 wherein said server identifies either one or both of said first and said second media file as a result of a search, based on an input criteria, performed by either one or both of said first and said second user.

65. The server of claim 64 wherein said input criteria comprises a rating.

66. The server of claim 64 wherein said input criteria comprises an artist name.

67. The server of claim 64 wherein said input criteria comprises a media file name.

68. The server of claim 54 wherein said communication is established via an instant messaging application.

69. The server of claim 54 wherein said data distribution module sends a playlist creation tool to either one or both of said first and said second computing device upon a request from either said first or said second user.

70. The server of claim 69 wherein said playlist creation tool comprises a user interface displayable on said first computing device and on said second computing device.

71. The server of claim 70 wherein said second computing device receives information about said playlist from said first computing device via a instant messaging software application.

72. The server of claim 69 wherein said first computing device receives information about said playlist from said second computing device via said instant messaging software application.

73. The server of claim 54 wherein said playlist comprises said first data set and said second data set.

74. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first and said second computing device comprises a cellular phone.

75. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first and said second computing device comprises a portable media player.

76. The server of claim 54 wherein either one or both of said first and said second computing device comprises a personal digital assistant.

77. A user interface for an instant messaging application comprising:

a first area comprising an area for inputting messages and a conversation area for viewing the exchange of messages;

a second area for searching for media file identifiers from a media file source; and

a third area for displaying a collaborative playlist.

78. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said collaborative playlist comprises a media file identifier.

79. The user interface of claim 77 further comprising a single icon for initiating said search.

80. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said search is based upon input criteria.

82. The user interface of claim 80 wherein said input criteria comprises an artist name.

83. The user interface of claim 80 wherein said input criteria comprises a media file name.

84. The user interface of claim 80 wherein said input criteria comprises a list of recommended media files.

85. The user interface of claim 77 further comprising a single icon for adding said media file identifier from said second area to said third area to be included in said collaborative playlist.

86. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said playlist can be saved to each user'"'"'s respective computing device, at each user'"'"'s respective option.

87. The user interface of claim 86 wherein said playlist is saved via clicking a single icon located on said user interface.

88. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said media file identifier can be dragged and dropped into said third area to be included in said collaborative playlist.

89. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said media file identifier can be dragged and dropped from a fourth area to said third area to be included in said collaborative playlist.

90. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier is defined by a an on-demand streaming media service.

91. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier comprises a pointer.

92. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier comprises a uniform resource locator.

93. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier is user-defined.

94. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier is server-defined.

95. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier comprises a musical genre.

96. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier indicates the identity of the contributor of the media file.

97. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be acquired by streaming said media file.

98. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can be downloaded.

99. The user interface of claim 78 wherein said media file identifier is associated with a media file that can located on a user'"'"'s computing device.

100. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said user interface is displayed at a first user'"'"'s first computing device and at a second user'"'"'s second computing device.

101. The user interface of claim 100 wherein said second area at said first user'"'"'s computing device is displayed differently than said second user'"'"'s computing device.

102. The user interface of claim 77 wherein said third area is displayed essentially simultaneously at a first user'"'"'s computing device and at a second user'"'"'s computing device.

103. A program storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computing device to perform method steps comprising:

initiating, in response to an input from a first user, an instant messaging communication between said first user at said computing device and a second user at a second computing device;

displaying, for said first user, a playlist application accessible by both said first user and said second user for essentially simultaneous interaction with a playlist creation tool for collaboratively creating a playlist usable to play media files; and

receiving, via the playlist creation tool, a media file identifier selected by either one or both of the users for inclusion on said playlist.

104. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising saving said playlist at each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

105. The program storage device of claim 104 wherein saving said playlist comprises clicking a single icon located on a user interface displayed by said playlist application.

106. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising initiating a search of media source for said media file identifier based upon input criteria from either one or both of said first and said second user.

107. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from a server.

108. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from said first user'"'"'s local media library.

109. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from said second user'"'"'s local media library.

110. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from a third user'"'"'s local media library.

111. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising acquiring said media file via streaming said media file identifier to the user.

112. The program storage device of claim 103, further comprising acquiring said media file via downloading said media file to either one or both of said first and said second computing device from a remote media file source.

113. The program storage device of claim 103 wherein said provided playlist application, each user can independently edit said playlist from each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

114. The program storage device of claim 113 wherein upon editing, each user'"'"'s edits are only displayed on each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

115. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave comprising instructions for receiving signals transmitted by network entities, wherein at least a subset of said signals comprise code for performing the steps of:

initiating, in response to an input from a first user, an instant messaging communication between said first user at said computing device and a second user at a second computing device;

displaying, for said first user, a playlist application accessible by both said first user and said second user for essentially simultaneous interaction with a playlist creation tool for collaboratively creating a playlist usable to play media files; and

receiving, via the playlist creation tool, a media file identifier selected by either one or both of the users for inclusion on said playlist.

116. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising saving said playlist at each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

117. The computer data signal of claim 116 wherein saving said playlist comprises clicking a single icon located on a user interface displayed by said playlist application.

118. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising initiating a search of media source for said media file identifier based upon input criteria from either one or both of said first and said second user.

119. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from a server.

120. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from said first user'"'"'s local media library.

121. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from said second user'"'"'s local media library.

122. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from a third user'"'"'s local media library.

123. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising acquiring said media file via streaming said media file identifier to the user.

124. The computer data signal of claim 115, further comprising acquiring said media file via downloading said media file to either one or both of said first and said second computing device from a remote media file source.

125. The computer data signal of claim 115 wherein said provided playlist application, each user can independently edit said playlist from each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

126. The computer data signal of claim 125 wherein upon editing, each user'"'"'s edits are only displayed on each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

127. A method of creating a collaborative playlist comprising:

initiating, in response to an input from a first user, an instant messaging communication between said first user at said computing device and a second user at a second computing device;

displaying, for said first user, a playlist application accessible by both said first user and said second user for essentially simultaneous interaction with a playlist creation tool for collaboratively creating a playlist usable to play media files; and

receiving, via the playlist creation tool, a media file identifier selected by either one or both of the users for inclusion on said playlist.

128. The method of claim 127, further comprising saving said playlist at each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

129. The method of claim 128 above wherein saving said playlist comprises clicking a single icon located on a user interface displayed by said playlist application.

130. The method of claim 127, further comprising initiating a search of media source for said media file identifier based upon input criteria from either one or both of said first and said second user.

131. The method of claim 127, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from a server.

132. The method of claim 127, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from said first user'"'"'s local media library.

133. The method of claim 127, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from said second user'"'"'s local media library.

134. The method of claim 127, further comprising acquiring said media file identifier from a third user'"'"'s local media library.

135. The method of claim 127, further comprising acquiring said media file via streaming said media file to the user.

136. The method of claim 127, further comprising acquiring said media file via downloading said media file to either one or both of said first and said second computing device from a remote media file source.

137. The method of claim 127 wherein each user can independently edit said playlist from each user'"'"'s respective computing device.

138. The method of claim 137 wherein upon editing, each user'"'"'s edits are only displayed on each user'"'"'s respective computing device.