Apparatus and method for coordinated music playback in wireless ad-hoc networks

• US 6,757,517 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dedicated Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Chin-Chi Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Chin-Chi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, TUAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/853,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20020168938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 455/186.1, 455/45, 455/3.01, 455/3.04, 455/3.05, 455/3.09, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/186.2, 455/517-518, 455/66.1, 725/86.7, 709/718, 709/719, 709/729
• US Class Current: 455/3.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

The present invention details a novel application of wireless networking and digital music technologies to achieve coordinated and synchronized music playback among peer listeners connected by wireless ad-hoc networks. Two or more listeners in local proximity allowed by short-range wireless transmission can participate and listen to the same song at the same time. Moreover, the present invention allows listeners in the transmission range to discover each other through profile matching. A high matching score may indicate similar preference or taste to a certain music style thereby easily locating mutual interests, which would not have been possible.

Claims

1. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:

establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;

sending a first message from the first apparatus to a public channel;

scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to the second apparatus;

responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus to direct the first apparatus to a private channel;

sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;

performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;

sending the second profile to the first apparatus;

performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus;

selecting a song from the first and the second profiles by the first apparatus; and

synchronizing playing the song in the first and the second apparatuses.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after the step of synchronizing playing the song, the method can further include the following steps:

scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to a third apparatus used by a third user over the wireless ad-hoc network;

responding to the third apparatus by sending a third message from the first apparatus to direct the third apparatus to the private channel; and

synchronizing playing the song in the first, the second and the third apparatuses.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of establishing the wireless ad-hoc network comprises performing short-range radio technologies.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of sending the first message from the first apparatus comprises sending a first signature of the first apparatus as identification.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus comprises sending a second signature of the second apparatus as identification.

6. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:

establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;

sending a first message from the first apparatus to a public channel;

scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to the second apparatus;

responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus to direct the first apparatus to a private channel;

selecting a song; and

synchronizing playing the song in the apparatuses.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein after the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus, the method can further include the following steps:

sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;

performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;

sending the second profile to the first apparatus;

performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein after the step of synchronizing playing the song, the method can further include the following steps:

scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to a third apparatus used by a third user over the wireless ad-hoc network;

responding to the third apparatus by sending a third message from the first apparatus to direct the third apparatus to the private channel; and

synchronizing playing the song in the first, the second and the third apparatuses.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein after the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus, the method can further include the following steps:

sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;

performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;

sending the second profile to the first apparatus;

performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus;

after synchronizing playing the song, scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to a third apparatus used by a third user over the wireless ad-hoc network;

responding to the third apparatus by sending a third message from the first apparatus to direct the third apparatus to the private channel; and

synchronizing playing the song in the first, the second and the third apparatuses.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of establishing the wireless ad-hoc network comprises performing short-range radio technologies.

11. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of sending the first message from the first apparatus comprises sending a first signature of the first apparatus as identification.

12. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus comprises sending a second signature of the second apparatus as identification.

13. A method for interactively playing music between multiple users, including at least a first user and a second user, comprising the steps of:

establishing a wireless ad-hoc network between at least a first listening apparatus used by the first user and a second listening apparatus used by the second user;

exchanging a sequence of messages between the first apparatus and the second apparatus;

selecting a song; and

synchronizing playing the song in the apparatuses.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of exchanging a sequence of messages between the first apparatus and the second apparatus further comprises:

sending a first message from the first apparatus to a public channel;

scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to the second apparatus; and

responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus to direct the first apparatus to a private channel.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein after the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus, the method can further include the following steps:

sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;

performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;

sending the second profile to the first apparatus;

performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein after the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus, the method can further include the following steps:

sending a first profile from the first apparatus to the private channel;

performing matching evaluation between the first profile and a second profile of the second apparatus in the second apparatus based on a specific criterion, wherein only if the criterion is met, the second profile will be sent out;

sending the second profile to the first apparatus;

performing matching evaluation between the second profile and the first profile in the first apparatus;

after synchronizing playing the song, scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to a third apparatus used by a third user over the wireless ad-hoc network;

responding to the third apparatus by sending a third message from the first apparatus to direct the third apparatus to the private channel; and

synchronizing playing the song in the first, the second and the third apparatuses.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of sending the first message from the first apparatus comprises sending a first signature of the first apparatus as identification.

18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of responding to the first apparatus by sending a second message from the second apparatus comprises sending a second signature of the second apparatus as identification.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein after the step of synchronizing playing the song, the method can further include the following steps:

scanning the public channel and receiving the first message to a third apparatus used by a third user over the wireless ad-hoc network;

responding to the third apparatus by sending a third message from the first apparatus to direct the third apparatus to the private channel; and

synchronizing playing the song in the first, the second and the third apparatuses.

20. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of establishing the wireless ad-hoc network comprises performing short-range radio technologies.

21. An interactive multi-party linking music listening system comprising at least two listening apparatuses communicating over a wireless ad-hoc network, wherein one of the listening apparatuses is a first listening apparatus, the first listening apparatus at least comprising:

a first signature to identify the first listening apparatus;

a plurality of channels for communicating between the listening apparatuses, wherein the channels include at least one public channel for advertising the first signature;

a controlled interface for enabling interactive communication over the wireless ad-hoc network;

a random access controller for instructing the channels to be in use and storing signatures of listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus;

a wireless transceiver connected to the random access controller, for receiving and sending messages over the wireless ad-hoc network and relaying messages to the random access controller;

a profile storage and matching unit connected to the random access controller, for storing music preference as a first profile and perform matching between profiles of the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus; and

a music playback unit connected to the random access controller, for storing and playing music,

whereby the first listening apparatus can synchronize playing music with the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus with agreement from all parties.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the wireless transceiver is implemented by short-range radio technologies.

23. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the wireless transceiver is implemented by a Bluetooth technology.

24. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the music playback unit comprises a digital music device.

25. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the music playback unit comprises a MP3 player.

26. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the profile storage and matching unit can determine match based on a criterion.

27. An interactive multi-party linking music listening system comprising at least two listening apparatuses communicating over a wireless ad-hoc network, wherein one of the listening apparatuses is a first listening apparatus, the first listening apparatus at least comprising:

a first signature to identify the first listening apparatus;

a plurality of channels for communicating between the listening apparatuses, wherein channels include at least one public channel for advertising the first signature;

a controlled interface for enabling interactive communication over the wireless ad-hoc network;

a random access controller for instructing the channels to be in use and storing signatures of listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus;

a wireless transceiver connected to the random access controller, for receiving and sending messages over the wireless ad-hoc network and relaying messages to the random access controller;

a display screen, for showing signatures or names or information of the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus to a user;

a selection device that the user uses to accept or reject the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus;

a music playback unit connected to the random access controller, for storing and playing music,

whereby the first listening apparatus can synchronize playing music with the listening apparatuses other than the first listening apparatus with agreement from all parties.

28. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the wireless transceiver is implemented by short-range radio technologies.

29. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the wireless transceiver is implemented by a Bluetooth technology.

30. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the music playback unit comprises a digital music device.

31. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the music playback unit comprises a MP3 player.

32. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the user can determine to accept or reject based on a criterion.