SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING PLAYBACK OF STREAMING DIGITAL CONTENT
First Claim
1. A method for directing a target device to play a selected title, comprising:
- discovering the target device with a local network;
exchanging unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device;
identifying to a content server the target device as an associated device;
determining whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server; and
if the target device includes the service application, then causing the service application to request the selected title from the content server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for managing playback of digital content on two or more different playback devices. A playback device designated as a controller is associated with a playback device designated as a playback target. Association is implemented via a local network discovery protocol. The controller issues commands to the target, which then streams digital content directly from a content server. The controller is able to separately stream related digital content for independent, but synchronized playback. Server mediated operations, such as device activation and application installation, are advantageously enabled by explicit association between the controller and the target.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for directing a target device to play a selected title, comprising:
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discovering the target device with a local network; exchanging unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device; identifying to a content server the target device as an associated device; determining whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server; and if the target device includes the service application, then causing the service application to request the selected title from the content server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause the processing unit to direct a target device to play a selected title, by performing the steps of:
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discovering the target device with a local network; exchanging unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device; identifying to a content server the target device as an associated device; determining whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server; and if the target device includes the service application, then causing the service application to request the selected title from the content server. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A controller device configured to direct a target device to play a selected title, the controller device comprising:
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a network interface circuit configured to communicate with other devices within a local network; and a processing unit coupled to the network interface and configured to; discover the target device with the local network; exchange unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device; identify to a content server the target device as an associated device; determine whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server; and if the target device includes the service application, then cause the service application to request the selected title from the content server. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification