Portable media player as a low power remote control and method thereof
First Claim
1. A method of using a portable multimedia player arranged to store digital media files to wirelessly access and/or control a media server configured to stream digital media data to a media unit, comprising:
- configuring the portable multimedia player to operate the portable multimedia player in a first mode or a second mode,wherein when in the first mode, the portable multimedia player performs the operations of;
displaying a list of digital media files on a display of the portable multimedia player, the digital media files being stored on the portable multimedia player;
receiving a selection signal to play a digital media file; and
playing the selected digital media file on the portable multimedia player;
wherein when in the second mode, the portable multimedia player performs the operations of;
binding the portable multimedia player and the media server; and
wirelessly transmitting a media file request from the multimedia player to the media server, andwherein in response to the media file request, the media server performs the operations of;
wirelessly forwarding the appropriate media file from the media server to a media unit based on the media file request;
determining if a control command is to be forwarded to the media unit to control a function of the media unit; and
wirelessly forwarding the control command from the media server to the media unit if it is determined that the control command is to be forwarded to the media unit, whereby the media unit is able to playback the appropriate media file in accordance with the at least one control command.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable multimedia player is used to wirelessly access and control a media server that is streaming digital media by way of a wireless interface to a media unit such as a stereo/speakers in the case of streaming digital audio. In one embodiment, the portable multimedia player is wirelessly synchronized to a selected one(s) of a number of digital media files stored on the media server in such a way that digital media file metadata (song title, author, etc.) associated with the selected digital media file(s) only is transferred from the media server to be stored in the portable media player.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of using a portable multimedia player arranged to store digital media files to wirelessly access and/or control a media server configured to stream digital media data to a media unit, comprising:
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configuring the portable multimedia player to operate the portable multimedia player in a first mode or a second mode, wherein when in the first mode, the portable multimedia player performs the operations of; displaying a list of digital media files on a display of the portable multimedia player, the digital media files being stored on the portable multimedia player; receiving a selection signal to play a digital media file; and playing the selected digital media file on the portable multimedia player; wherein when in the second mode, the portable multimedia player performs the operations of; binding the portable multimedia player and the media server; and wirelessly transmitting a media file request from the multimedia player to the media server, and wherein in response to the media file request, the media server performs the operations of; wirelessly forwarding the appropriate media file from the media server to a media unit based on the media file request; determining if a control command is to be forwarded to the media unit to control a function of the media unit; and wirelessly forwarding the control command from the media server to the media unit if it is determined that the control command is to be forwarded to the media unit, whereby the media unit is able to playback the appropriate media file in accordance with the at least one control command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable digital multimedia player arranged to store multimedia media file metadata used to wirelessly control a remote media server which interacts with a remote media unit, comprising:
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a wireless network interface; a display device arranged to display a user interface having a number of user selectable items; and a processor unit configured to operate the portable digital multimedia player in a first mode or a second mode, wherein when the portable digital multimedia player is in the first mode, in response to a user section of a multimedia file stored on the portable digital multimedia player, the selected multimedia file is played by the portable digital multimedia player, wherein when the portable digital multimedia player is in the second mode, in response to a user selection of one of the user selectable items generates a signal that is wirelessly sent by the wireless network interface to the media server, the signal including multimedia file meta data identifying a multimedia file stored on the media server, wherein the remote media server receives the signal sent by the wireless network interface and responds to the signal by accessing the identified multimedia file and once accessed, wirelessly sends the identified multimedia file to the remote media unit, and wherein the media server determines if a control command is to be forwarded to the remote media unit to control a function of the remote media unit and wirelessly forwarding the control command from the media server to the remote media unit if it is determined that the control command is to be forwarded to the remote media unit, whereby the remote media unit is able to playback the appropriate media file in accordance with the at least one control command. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing wireless remote control of a remote media unit through use of a portable multimedia player and a personal computer, comprising:
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receiving a signal to operate the portable multimedia player in a first mode or a second mode, wherein when operated in the first mode, the portable multimedia player performs the operations of; displaying a list of digital media files on a display of the portable multimedia player, the digital media files stored on the portable multimedia player; receiving a selection signal to play a digital media file; and playing the selected digital media file on the portable multimedia player; wherein when operated in the second mode, the portable multimedia player performs the operations of; wirelessly transmitting a media file request from the portable multimedia player to the personal computer, and wherein in response to the media file request, the personal computer performs the operation of; wirelessly receiving at the personal computer a multimedia file indication from the portable multimedia player; determining if a control command is to be sent to the remote media unit to control a function of the remote media unit; identifying a multimedia file stored on the personal computer using the received multimedia file indication; accessing the identified multimedia file; wirelessly sending the identified multimedia file from the personal computer to the remote media; and wirelessly sending the control command to the remote media unit if it is determined that the control command is to be sent to the remote media unit, whereby the remote media unit is able to playback the appropriate media file in accordance with the at least one control command. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification