Space-shifting media streaming system

• US 20070124761A1
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Yen-Fu, Handy-Bosma, John, Walker, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,683,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/35
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A system for space-shifting media broadcasts is provided. A request to space-shift a media broadcast is received. A device, out of a network of devices is selected to space-shift the media broadcast to. The media broadcast is then space-shifted to the selected device.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for space-shifting media broadcasts, the computer implemented method comprising:

receiving a request to space-shift a media broadcast;

selecting a device from a network of devices to which the media broadcast is to be space-shifted; and

space-shifting the media broadcast to the selected device from the network of devices.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request to space-shift a media broadcast includes receiving a user identifier.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, wherein the received request is sent utilizing a remote control.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 2, wherein the user identifier is associated with a user profile.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 4, further comprising:

saving media broadcasts associated with the user profile.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 4, further comprising:

saving preset media settings associated with the user profile.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein space-shifting comprises:

saving a media broadcast to a file, along with information indicating where a user stopped the media broadcast; and

recommencing the media broadcast on the selected device from the point where the user stopped the media broadcast

8. The computer implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:

saving media settings regarding the media broadcast.

9. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium including computer usable program code for space-shifting media broadcasts, said computer program product comprising:

computer usable program code for receiving a request to space-shift a media broadcast;

computer usable program code for selecting a device from a network of devices to which the media broadcast is to be space-shifted; and

computer usable program code for space-shifting the media broadcast to the selected device from the network of devices.

10. A system for space-shifting media broadcasts, the system comprising:

a network including a plurality of devices;

a media server for storing a media broadcast;

a user manager for creating and managing user identifications and user profiles for users on the network;

a device manager for managing devices belonging the network;

a user identifier for identifying a user to the network; and

a receiver for receiving a request to space-shift the media broadcast; and

a shifting mechanism for space-shifting the media broadcast from a first device of the plurality of devices to a second, selected device of the plurality of devices in response to the received request.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the media server controls other devices that store media broadcasts.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the user manager comprises a graphical user interface and a database.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the device manager comprises a graphical user interface and a database.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the identifier is a remote control.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the media server comprises a data processing system comprising:

a storage device, wherein the storage device stores computer usable program code; and

a processor, wherein the processor executes the computer usable program code to receive a request to space-shift a media broadcast;

select a device from a network of devices to which the media broadcast is to be space-shifted; and

space-shift the media broadcast to the selected device from the network of devices.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein a user identifier is associated with a user profile.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor further executes instructions to save media broadcasts associated with the user profile.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor further executes instructions to save preset media settings associated with the user profile.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor executing instructions to space-shifting the media broadcast to the selected device from the network of devices further comprises:

the processor executing instructions to save a media broadcast to a file, along with information indicating where a user stopped the media broadcast; and

the processor executing instructions to recommence the media broadcast on the selected device from the point where the user stopped the media broadcast

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

the processor executing instructions to save media settings regarding the media broadcast.