Method for Managing Media

• US 20090017866A1
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Affinity Labs of Texas, LLC
• Inventors: White, Russell W., Imes, Kevin R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/02 with automatic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 : for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 : for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 : file transfer between terminals download of applications H04M1/72406; transfer of messages, e.g. SMS, e-mail or MMS H04M1/7243
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A media managing method is disclosed. The method links a graphical interface soft button with a media file saved in a memory system of a portable electronic device, maintains a collection of information that represents the graphical interface soft button in the memory system, and communicates at least some of the collection to a different electronic device in order to allow a user to view a representation of the graphical interface soft button on an associated display of the different electronic device. The method further receives a signal to begin playing the media file in response to a selection of the representation.

Claims

1. A media managing method, comprising:

linking a name with a media file saved in a memory system of a portable electronic device;

maintaining a collection of information that represents the name in the memory system;

communicating at least some of the collection to a different electronic device in order to allow a user to view a graphical interface soft button comprising the name on an associated display of the different electronic device; and

receiving a signal to begin playing the media file in response to a selection of the graphical interface soft button.

2. The method of claim 1, communicatively coupling the portable electronic device with a personal computer of a user;

and receiving the media file via the communicative coupling.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the different electronic device is an automobile sound system component.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the different electronic device is a home stereo component.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication of an incoming telephone call at the portable electronic device;

and altering an output characteristic of a playing of the media file in connection with receiving the indication.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the signal to begin playing via a wired coupling of the portable electronic device and the different electronic device; and

recharging a battery of the portable electronic device from a power source electrically coupled to the portable electronic device vice the wired coupling.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical interface soft button comprises a selectable link that includes a textual display of the name, wherein the name is selected from a group consisting of a user customized name, a playlist name, a title, and an artist name.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the signal to begin playing in response to a soft button selection made via a user interaction with an input device of the different electronic device, wherein the input device is selected from a group consisting of a touch screen, a mouse, a keyboard, a toggle disk, a knob, and an actual physical button.

9. A media playing method, comprising:

receiving an over the air download of a media file at a portable electronic device that has a display, a memory, and a processor;

receiving a collection of information associated with the media file via the over the air download, the collection of information representing a name associated with the media file;

saving the media file in the memory;

maintaining an association between the media file and the name at the portable electronic device;

communicating information that represents at least the name to a different electronic device such that a user may view a graphical interface soft button comprising the name on a different display that is associated with the different electronic device; and

initiating a playing of the media file at the portable electronic device in connection with a selection of the graphical interface soft button at the different electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the media file is an audio file.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the media file is a voicemail message and the name identifies a sender of the voicemail message.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the portable electronic device is operable as a wireless telephone and the graphical user interface soft button is a selectable link that comprises a textual representation of the name.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the display of the portable electronic device is a touch screen display.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising initiating another playing of the media file in connection with a selection of a representation of the name while it is being presented on the display of the portable electronic device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the media file comprises a video file.

16. A media playing method, comprising:

coupling a portable electronic device mount to a sound system component that has an associated display and a user interface mechanism, wherein the portable electronic device mount is formed to communicatively couple with a portable electronic device that is configured to save a media file in its memory, to associate the media file with a name, to include the name in a menu of available content, to present the name on the display of the portable electronic device as a selectable icon, and to communicate a collection of information representing the name to the sound system;

receiving the collection of information via the portable electronic mount;

utilizing the collection of information to graphical interface soft button on the associated display;

recognizing an interaction with the user interface mechanism as a selection of the graphical interface soft button; and

requesting a playing of the available media file by the portable electronic device in connection with the selection of the graphical interface soft button.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sound system is selected from a group consisting of a home stereo sound system and an automobile sound system.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the sound system is configured to receive an in-band on channel digital radio broadcast signal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the sound system is further configured to allow a user to identify a certain song and to request the certain song.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the available media file comprises a video file.