MEDIA TRANSFER AND CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20080254751A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Lazaridis, Mihal
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/74
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A media transfer and control system that includes a handheld device and an audio/visual system. The media transfer and control system provides for: (i) the transfer of media files between the handheld device and the audio/visual system, (ii) the transmission of control commands from the handheld device to the audio/visual system for controlling the function and operation of the audio/visual system through a user interface provided on the handheld device, and (iii) the unsolicited transfer of media descriptive data between the handheld device and the audio/visual system to create a synchronized global view on the handheld electronic device and/or the audio/visual system of all of the media content currently stored on and/or available through both the handheld device and the audio/visual system.

Claims

1. A handheld device comprising:

a processor;

a memory configured to store a plurality of media files and in operable communication with said processor;

an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications and in operable communication with said processor;

an input subsystem in operable communication with said processor, said input subsystem comprised of at least one input component;

an output subsystem in operable communication with said processor, said output subsystem comprised of at least one output component;

wherein said processor, with executing software, is configured to send, using said RF transceiver and in a manner intended to be receivable by at least one target device, one of said media files; and

wherein said processor is further configured to send, using said RF transceiver and in a manner also intended to be receivable by said at least one target device, control information intended to affect how said media file may be used or presented.

2. The handheld device of claim 1 where said control information comprises at least one of a priority of play, and, side-band information associated with said sent media file.

3. The handheld device of claim 1 where said control information comprises a request for side-band information for any media files currently stored on said at least one target device.

4. The handheld device of claim 3 where said processor is configured to receive sideband information associated with at least one media file not in said memory, send information about the file to said output subsystem, and in response to an input from said input subsystem send addition control information related to an order to in which play or present said media files.

5. The handheld device of claim 3 where said processor is configured to receive sideband information associated with at least one media file not in said memory, send information about the file to said output subsystem, and in response to an input from said input subsystem create an ordered list for playing media files, including media files not on said handheld.

6. The handheld device of claim 1 where said sent media file comprises streaming media data;

and, said control information comprises a command directed at said target device to enter a mode where said streaming data is played immediately.

7. The handheld device of claim 1 where said processor is configured to send, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.

8. The handheld device of claim 7 where said digital channel is further configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.

9. The handheld device of claim 7 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.

10. The handheld device of claim 9 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetized channels.

11. The handheld device of claim 9 where said digitized, packetized channel is embodied as a “

U”

channel in a BLUETOOTH®

piconet.

12. A handheld device comprising:

a processor;

a memory configured to store a plurality of media files and in operable communication with said processor;

an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications and in operable communication with said processor;

an input subsystem in operable communication with said processor, the input subsystem comprised of at least one input component;

an output subsystem in operable communication with said processor, said output subsystem comprised of at least one output component;

wherein said processor, with executable software, is configured to;

receive via said RF transceiver, information about media files not in said memory, said information not received in response to input from said input subsystem;

integrate said received information with information about any media files in said memory;

send, to said output subsystem, said integrated information.

13. The handheld device of claim 12 where said processor is configured to receive input from said input subsystem, said input indicating an ordered list in which to play said media files, including media files not in said memory.

14. The handheld device of claim 13 where said processor is configured to:

send, using said RF transceiver, a request for copies of any media files that will be needed to play the ordered list;

receive, using said RF transceiver, the requested media files;

send, according to the ordered list, output to said output subsystem, the output based on said media files.

15. The handheld device of claim 13 where said processor is configured to:

send, using said RF transceiver, control information comprised of said ordered list; and

,

send, using said RF transceiver, media files on said ordered list whose information was not from said memory in said handheld.

16. The handheld device of claim 12 where said processor is configured to:

send, using said RF transceiver, some side-band information on a currently-playing media file and a next media file;

receive, from said RF transceiver, an indicator which indicates if the media file associated with said sent side-band information is or is not resident on an A/V system associated with said indicator;

send, using said RF transceiver, one of;

a copy of the currently-playing media file only if said indicator indicates the currently-playing media file is not resident and a copy of the next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident; and

, only sends a copy of the next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident.

17. The handheld device of claim 16 where said processor is configured to:

send, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating said currently-playing media file is to be played in synchronicity with the handheld, if play synchronicity is functionally available;

send, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating when to being playing said next media file if play synchronicity is not functionally available.

18. The handheld device of claim 12 where said processor is configured to send, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.

19. The handheld device of claim 18 where said digital channel is configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.

20. The handheld device of claim 18 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.

21. The handheld device of claim 20 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetized channels.

22. The handheld device of claim 20 where said digitized, packetized channel is embodied as a “

U”

channel in a BLUETOOTH®

piconet.

23. An interfacing device comprising:

a processor;

a memory configured to store a plurality of media files and in operable communication with said processor;

an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications and in operable communication with said processor;

an output port, configured for a wired connection and to send signals configured to be receivable as playable signals on at least one external A/V system;

wherein said processor, with executing software, is configured to receive using said RF transceiver at least one media file and stores said media file in said memory; and

said processor is configured to receive, using said RF transceiver, control information, said control information configured to affect either one of how and when media files, including said received media file, are sent to said output port.

24. The interfacing device of claim 23 where said control information comprises a request for side-band information on media files stored in said memory.

25. The interfacing device of claim 24 where said processor is configured to send, using said RF transceiver, side-band information associated with each media file in said memory responsive to said control information request for side-band information.

26. The interface device of claim 25 where said processor is configured to:

receive, over said RF transceiver, an ordered list indicating which media files to send to said output port in what order; and

,

send, out said output port, a sequence of signals usable to display or broadcast the contents of media files, according to said order.

27. The interface device of claim 23 where said processor is configured to send and receive, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.

28. The interface device of claim 27 where said digital channel is configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.

29. The interface device of claim 27 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.

30. The interface device of claim 29 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetized channels.

31. The interface device of claim 29 where said digitized, packetized channel is embodied as a “

U”

channel in a BLUETOOTH®

piconet.

58. The method of claim 23 comprising sending and receiving, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.

59. The method of claim 58 where said digital channel is further configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.

60. The method of claim 58 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.

61. The method of claim 60 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetized channels.

62. The method of claim 60 where said digitized, packetized channel is a “

U”

channel in a BLUETOOTH®

piconet.

32. A method of using a handheld device comprising:

storing at least one media file on a memory in said handheld device, said memory configured to store a plurality of media files;

sending, using an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications in said handheld device, a stored media file, said sent media file configured to be receivable by at least one target device that is not said handheld device;

sending, using said RF transceiver, control information configured to be receivable by said at least one target device, and further configured to affect some aspect of how or when said media file is used or presented.

33. The method of claim 32 where said control information comprises at least one of a priority of play, and, side-band information associated with said sent media file.

34. The method of claim 32 where said control information comprises a request for side-band information for media files currently stored on said at least one target device.

35. The method of claim 34 comprising:

receiving sideband information associated with at least one media file not in said memory;

sending information about the file to an output subsystem in said handheld device, and in response to an input from an input subsystem in said handheld device, sending, using said RF transceiver, addition control information related to an order to in which play or present said media files.

36. The method of claim 34 comprising:

receiving sideband information associated with at least one media file not in said memory;

sending information about the file to an output subsystem in said handheld device, and in response to an input from an input subsystem in said handheld device creating an ordered list for playing media files, including media files not in said memory.

37. The method of claim 32 where said sent media file comprises streaming media data;

and, said control information comprises a command configured to direct said target device to enter a mode where said streaming data is played immediately.

38. The method of claim 32 comprising sending, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.

39. The method of claim 38 where said digital channel is further configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.

40. The method of claim 38 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.

41. The method of claim 40 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetized channels.

42. The method of claim 41 where said digitized, packetized channel is a “

U”

channel in a BLUETOOTH®

piconet.

43. A method of using a handheld device comprising:

storing at least one media file on a memory in said handheld device, said memory configured to store a plurality of media files;

receiving, using an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications in said handheld device, sideband information about media files, said sideband information not received in response to an input from an input subsystem on said handheld device;

comparing, using said sideband information, media files available in said memory and media files associated with said sideband information;

creating an integrated list of media files using said received information with information about media files in said memory;

sending, to an output subsystem in said handheld device, a representation of said integrated information.

44. The method of claim 43 comprising receiving input from an input subsystem in said handheld device, said input one of indicating or accepting an ordered list in which to play said media files, including media files not in said memory.

45. The method of claim 44 comprising:

sending, using said RF transceiver, a request for copies of any media files that will be needed to play the ordered list;

receiving, using said RF transceiver, the requested media files;

sending, according to the ordered list, output to an output subsystem on said handheld, the output based on said media files.

46. The method of claim 43 comprising:

sending, using said RF transceiver, control information comprised of said integrated information; and

,

sending, using said RF transceiver, media files associated with said integrated information whose sideband information was not in said received sideband information.

47. The method of claim 43 comprising:

sending, using said RF transceiver, some side-band information on a currently-playing media file and a next media file;

receiving, from said RF transceiver, an indicator which indicates if the media files associated with said sent side-band information are or are not resident on an A/V system associated with said indicator;

sending, using said RF transceiver, one of;

a copy of the currently-playing media file if said indicator indicates the currently-playing media file is not resident and a copy of the next media file if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident; and

, sending a copy of the next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident.

48. The method of claim 47 comprising:

sending, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating said currently-playing media file is to be played in synchronicity with the handheld, if play synchronicity is functionally available;

sending, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating when to being playing said next media file if play synchronicity with the currently-paying media is not functionally available.

49. The method of claim 43 comprising sending, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.

50. The method of claim 49 where said digital channel is configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.

51. The method of claim 49 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.

52. The method of claim 51 where said digitized, packetized channel is configured as two logical packetized channels.

53. The method of claim 51 where said digitized, packetized channel is a “

U”

channel in a BLUETOOTH®

piconet.

54. An method of using an interfacing device comprising:

receiving, using an RF transceiver operably in said interfacing device, at least one media file and storing said media file in a memory, said memory in said interfacing device and configured to store a plurality of media files;

receiving, using said RF transceiver, control information, said control information configured to affect either one of how or when media files, including said received media file, in said memory are to be sent to an output port operably in said interface device, said output port configured for a wired connection and to send signals configured to be receivable as playable signals on at least one external A/V system.

55. The method of claim 54 where said control information comprises a request for side-band information on media files stored in said memory.

56. The method of claim 55 comprising sending, using said RF transceiver, side-band information associated with each media file in said memory responsive to said control information request for side-band information.

57. The method of claim 54 comprising:

receiving, over said RF transceiver, an ordered list indicating which media files to send to said output port in what order; and

,

sending, to said output port, a sequence of signals usable to display or broadcast the contents of media files, according to said order.