SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING PLAYBACK OF STREAMING DIGITAL CONTENT
First Claim
1. A method for configuring a target device to play a selected title, the method comprising:
- discovering a controller device within a local network;
exchanging unique identifiers with the controller device to establish an association with the controller device;
receiving a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and
if the service application is available, then notifying the controller device that target device is configured to play the selected title, orif the service application is not available, then performing one or more operations to install the service application.
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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.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for configuring a target device to play a selected title, the method comprising:
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discovering a controller device within a local network; exchanging unique identifiers with the controller device to establish an association with the controller device; receiving a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and if the service application is available, then notifying the controller device that target device is configured to play the selected title, or if the service application is not available, then performing one or more operations to install the service application. - 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 configure a target device to play a selected title, by performing the steps of:
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discovering a controller device within a local network; exchanging unique identifiers with the controller device to establish an association with the controller device; receiving a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and if the service application is available, then notifying the controller device that target device is configured to play the selected title, or if the service application is not available, then performing one or more operations to install the service application. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A target device configured to play a selected title, the target 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 a controller device within the local network; exchange unique identifiers with the controller device to establish an association with the controller device; receive a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and if the service application is available, then notify the controller device that target device is configured to play the selected title, or if the service application is not available, then perform one or more operations to install the service application. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification