Multi-Mode Media Device Operable in First and Second Modes, Selectively

• US 20180107449A1
• Filed: 12/18/2017
• Published: 04/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Inventors: Krampf, Steven, Ross, Evan B., Phung, Trung Quoc
• Granted Patent: US 10,114,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/185 Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/25 Remote control device with display
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/088 with parts of the receiver detachable or collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/45 for FM stereophonic broadcast systems receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

A multi-mode media system operable at a given time in one of a first or a second mode, selectively, the first mode comprising operation to access a media source co-housed with or connected to and operationally integrated with the media system and configured to stream media content to the multi-mode media system for playing by the media system, and the second mode comprising operation of the media system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the multi-mode media system for outputting media content on an output device separate from the multi-mode media system, the media system not being operable in both modes simultaneously nor operable exclusively only in a single one of such modes.

Claims

1. A multi-mode media system operable at a given time in one of a first or a second mode, selectively, the first mode comprising operation to access a media source co-housed with or connected to and operationally integrated with the media system and configured to send media content to the multi-mode media system for playing by the media system, and the second mode comprising operation of the media system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the multi-mode media system for outputting media content on an output device separate from the multi-mode media system, comprising:

a. a network interface operationally connectable to a network;

b. non-transitory computer readable memory configured to store program instructions and media metadata, at least one of said metadata identifying media content available from a media source;

c. a display unit arranged to display a user interface having at least one user selectable item, the at least one selectable item including at least some media metadata received from the media source and indicative of associated media content available from the media source;

d. a processor unit adapted to execute computer instructions stored on non-transitory computer readable memory of the media system, such that when the computer instructions are executed, their execution causes the multi-mode media system to operate in the first mode or the second mode selectively, the media system not being operable in both modes simultaneously nor operable exclusively only in a single one of such modes, wherein when the media system is operated in the first mode, the media system performs operations of;

displaying user-selectable media metadata on the display of the media system, at least one media content being associated with each displayed media metadata and being available from the media source for playing by the media system, and no selectable displayed media metadata is associated with media content available from a separate media source remote from the media system that is not operationally integrated with the media system,

receiving from a user a selection of media metadata from among the displayed media metadata, wherein the selection indicates to the multi-mode media system that the user is requesting that said media system should play media content associated with the selected media metadata, and

playing said selected media content on the multi-mode media system,

and wherein when the multi-mode media system is operated in the second mode, the media system performs operations of;

connecting, via the network interface, the multi-mode media system with the remote media source,

sending, using the network interface, a request for media metadata from the media system to the remote media source,

receiving at the media system, using the network interface, media metadata from the remote media source, the media metadata indicating media content available from the media source,

displaying, on the media system display, at least one received media metadata, and

generating a signal in response to a user selection of at least one said displayed media metadata, the media system sending, using the network interface, a corresponding signal to the remote media source, wherein the corresponding signal includes at least one media metadata identifying media content available from the remote media source such that the remote media source responds to the corresponding signal by accessing the identified media content and once accessed, sends the identified media content directly to a media output device separate from the media system without said media content passing through the multi-mode media system before reaching the media output device.

2. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein when operating in the second mode, connecting the multi-mode media system to a remote media source includes receiving user input comprising selection of a specific remote media source from among plural remote media sources which are available for accessing by the media system.

3. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein the network interface comprises a wireless network interface.

4. The multi-mode media system of claim 2 wherein the media output device is remote from the media source.

5. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein the sending of the selected media content to the media output device from the remote media source occurs at least partly via a wireless link.

6. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein the media metadata includes at least one of title, album, artist, playlist, content name, content characteristic, and content location.

7. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein the media system comprises a portable hand-held device.

8. The multi-mode media system of claim 2 wherein the media system comprises a portable hand-held device.

9. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein in the first or in the second mode, the media system at least in part uses voice prompts in connection with displaying media metadata or user selection of a particular one of the user selectable media metadata.

10. The multi-mode media system of claim 1 wherein in the first or in the second mode, displaying media metadata or receiving a user selection of a particular one of the user selectable media metadata comprises displaying by the media system at least in part on a touch screen and in response, receiving user input.

11. A method of using a multi-mode media system operable at a given time in one of a first mode or a second mode, selectively, the first mode comprising operation as a system for accessing a media source co-housed with or connected to and operationally integrated with the media system, the media source configured to access media content for playing by the media system, and the second mode comprising operation of the media system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the media system, comprising:

(A) operating the media system in a first mode, selectively, for accessing a media source co-housed with or connected to and operationally integrated with the media system, wherein when operated in the first mode, the media system performs operations of;

a. displaying user-selectable media metadata on a display of the media system, at least one media content being associated with each displayed media metadata and being stored on and available from the media source for playing by the media system, and no selectable displayed media metadata is associated with media content available from a separate media source remote from the media system that is not operationally integrated with the media system;

b. receiving from a user a selection of media metadata from among the displayed media metadata, wherein the selection indicates to the multi-mode media system that the user is requesting that said media system should play media content associated with the selected media metadata, and

c. playing the selected media content on the multi-mode media system; and

(B) operating the multi-mode media system in a second mode, selectively, for controlling over a network a media source remote from the media system, wherein when operated in the second mode, the media system performs operations of;

a. connecting, via a network interface, the multi-mode media system with a media source remote from the media system,

b. sending, using the network interface, a request for media metadata from the multi-mode media system to the remote media source,

c. receiving at the media system, using the network interface, media metadata from the remote media source, the media metadata associated with and indicating media content available from the remote media source,

d. displaying at least one received media metadata on a media system display, and

e. generating a signal in response to a user selection of at least one displayed media metadata, the media system sending using the network interface the corresponding signal to the remote media source, wherein the corresponding signal includes at least media content metadata available from the remote media source such that the remote media source responds to the corresponding signal by accessing the identified selected media content and once accessed, sends the identified media content directly to a media output device separate from the media system without said media content passing through the multi-mode media system before reaching the media output device;

wherein the multi-mode media system is not operable in both the first and second modes simultaneously nor operable exclusively only in a single one of such modes.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein when operating in the second mode, connecting the multi-mode media system to a remote media source includes receiving user input comprising selection of a specific remote media source from among plural remote media sources which are available for accessing by the media system.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein when operating in the second mode the network interface is a wireless network interface.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein when operating in the second mode, the network interface is a wireless network interface.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein when operating in the second mode, the media output device is remote from the selected media source.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the media metadata includes at least one of title, album, artist, playlist, content name, content characteristic, and content location.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein when the multi-mode media system is operated in the second mode, both the remote media source and the multi-mode media system are connected to the same local network.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the multi-mode media system is a portable hand-held device.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the multi-mode media system is a portable hand-held device.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein in second mode, the selected remote media source is co-housed with or directly connected to the media output unit.

21. The method of claim 11 wherein in the first or in the second mode, the multi-mode media system at least in part uses voice prompts in connection with displaying media metadata or user selection of a particular one of the user selectable media metadata.

22. The method of claim 11 wherein in the first or in the second mode, displaying media metadata or receiving a user selection of a particular one of the user selectable media metadata comprises displaying by the media system at least in part on a touch screen and in response, receiving user input.

23. The method of claim 12 wherein in the first or in the second mode, displaying media metadata or receiving a user selection of a particular one of the user selectable media metadata comprises displaying by the media system at least in part on a touch screen and in response, receiving user input.

24. A multi-mode media system operable at a given time in one of a first or in a second mode, selectively, the first mode comprising operation to access a media source co-housed with or connected to and operationally integrated with the media system and configured to send media content to the media system for playing by the media system, and the second mode comprising operation of the media system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the multi-mode media system for playing on an output device other than the multi-mode media system, comprising:

a. network interface means operationally connectable to a network;

b. non-transitory computer readable memory means configured to store program instructions and media metadata, at least one of said metadata identifying media content available from a media source;

c. display unit means arranged to display a user interface having at least one user selectable item, the at least one selectable item including at least some media metadata received from the media source and available from the media source;

e. processor unit means adapted to execute computer instructions stored on non-transitory computer readable memory means of the multi-mode media system, such that when the computer instructions are executed, their execution causes the media system to operate in the first mode or the second mode selectively, the media system not being operable in both modes simultaneously nor operable exclusively only in a single one of such modes, wherein when the media system is operated in the first mode, the media system performs operations of;

displaying user-selectable media metadata on display means of the media system, at least one media content being associated with each displayed media metadata and being available from the media source for playing by the media system, and no selectable displayed media metadata is associated with media content available from a separate media source remote from the media system that is not operationally integrated with the media system;

receiving from a user a selection of media metadata from among the displayed media metadata, wherein the selection indicates to the multi-mode media system that the user is requesting that said media system should play media content associated with the selected media metadata; and

playing said selected media content on the multi-mode media,

and wherein when the media system is operated in the second mode, the media system performs operations of

connecting, via network interface means, the media system with the remote media source,

sending, using network interface means, a request for media metadata from the media system to the remote media source,

receiving at the media system, using network interface means, media metadata from the remote media source, the media metadata indicating media content available from the remote media source,

displaying on display means of the media system, at least one received media metadata,

generating a signal in response to a user selection of at least one said displayed media metadata, the media system sending using network interface means a corresponding signal to the remote media source, wherein the corresponding signal includes at least one content media metadata identifying media content available from the remote media source such that the remote media source responds to the corresponding signal by accessing the identified media content and once accessed, sends the identified media content directly to a media output device that is separate from the media system, without said media content passing through the multi-mode media system before reaching the media output device.

25. The multi-mode media system of claim 24 wherein the network interface means comprises wireless network interface means.

26. The multi-mode media system of claim 25 wherein the media output device is remote from the media source.

27. The multi-mode media system of claim 25 wherein the sending of the selected media content to the media output device from the remote media source occurs at least partly via wireless network means.

28. The multi-mode media system of claim 25 wherein the media system comprises a portable hand-held device.

29. The multi-mode media system of claim 26 wherein the media system comprises a portable hand-held device.

30. The multi-mode media system of claim 25 wherein media metadata includes at least one of title, album, artist, playlist, content name, content characteristic, and content location.