Network of disparate processor-based devices to exchange and display media files
First Claim
1. A method performed by a host comprising:
- Storing a plurality of digital media files, the plurality of digital media files being organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files;
wirelessly transmitting a polling inquiry within the vicinity of the host;
determining whether a response to the polling inquiry is received from a processor-based appliance within a predetermined time interval, wherein the response comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;
upon determining that a response to the polling inquiry is received, registering the processor-based appliance;
retrieving text information from the host'"'"'s file structure in the preferred language and font; and
wirelessly transmitting the host'"'"'s identical file structure to the appliance in the preferred language and font.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A first type of processor-based device, such as a personal computer functioning as a host and containing digital media files, may wirelessly communicate with a second type of processor-based device or appliance, such as a digital picture frame (DPF). Upon request and/or at periodic intervals, the host may transmit menu items and/or media files to the DPF. Responsive to user choices entered at the DPF and transmitted to the host, the host may transmit further menu items and/or media files to the DPF. Methods of polling and registering one or more DPFs by a host, of retrieving media files by a host from the Internet satisfying user-specified search criteria, and of uploading media files from a DPF to a host, are also described, in addition to a network and a machine-accessible medium.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method performed by a host comprising:
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Storing a plurality of digital media files, the plurality of digital media files being organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files; wirelessly transmitting a polling inquiry within the vicinity of the host; determining whether a response to the polling inquiry is received from a processor-based appliance within a predetermined time interval, wherein the response comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;upon determining that a response to the polling inquiry is received, registering the processor-based appliance; retrieving text information from the host'"'"'s file structure in the preferred language and font; and wirelessly transmitting the host'"'"'s identical file structure to the appliance in the preferred language and font. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method performed by a processor-based appliance comprising:
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wirelessly transmitting a registration request within the vicinity of the appliance, wherein the registration request comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;
wherein the registration request further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;
wherein the registration request further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;
wherein the registration request further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;
wherein the registration request further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;determining whether a response to the registration request is wirelessly received from a host within a specified time interval; upon determining that a response to the registration request is wirelessly received from the host with the specified time interval, the appliance receiving confirmation of registration from the host; and receiving from the host a plurality of digital media files organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method performed by a host comprising:
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storing a plurality of digital media files, the plurality of digital media files being organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files; wirelessly broadcasting a polling inquiry within the vicinity of the host; receiving a registration response to the polling inquiry from a processor-based appliance within a predetermined time interval;
wherein the response comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;
wherein the response further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;registering the registration response from the appliance; retrieving text information from the host'"'"'s file structure in the preferred language and font; and wirelessly transmitting the host'"'"'s identical file structure to the appliance in the preferred language and font. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification