Method and device for obtaining playlist content over a network

• US 8,045,952 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2006
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Golden IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Horsham Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: Qureshey, Safi, Sheppard, Daniel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, PABLO N
• Application Number:
  US11/563,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20070089135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 455/344, 455/185.1, 455/186.1, 455/188.1, 455/3.02, 455/3.06, 455/142, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/66.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/558, 709/217, 709/219, 725/39, 725/45, 725/18
• US Class Current: 455/344
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 : Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/146 : Markers for unambiguous identification of a particular session, e.g. session cookie or URL-encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0006 : where voice calls cross both networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 : Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 : Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 : Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 : Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD'"'"'s, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD'"'"'s and MP3 encoded CD'"'"'s and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD'"'"'s and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices. The IPAN includes an IPAN server, an IPAN client, and IPAN software stored on the network-enabled audio device. Thus, the network-enabled audio device provides people who are or are not comfortable with computers a way of taking music from various sources and putting it into one place for listening pleasure. In one embodiment, the Personal Computer (PC) is used to compose the playlists, but the user is able to listen to playlists and other audio sources without using the PC.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

assigning a playlist to an electronic device, the playlist identifying a plurality of songs;

identifying ones of the plurality of songs in the playlist that are not stored on the electronic device;

providing the playlist to the electronic device; and

providing information to the electronic device enabling the electronic device to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs that are not stored on the electronic device from at least one remote source.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of associated electronic devices, and providing the information to the electronic device comprises:

identifying at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices hosting the ones of the plurality of songs, wherein the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices is the at least one remote source; and

providing information to the electronic device enabling the electronic device to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of associated electronic devices and the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices, and the method further comprises:

receiving a request for the ones of the plurality of songs from the electronic device;

obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices; and

providing the ones of the plurality of songs to the electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of associated electronic devices and the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices, the method further comprising:

receiving a request for the ones of the plurality of songs from the electronic device if the electronic device is unable to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs;

obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices; and

providing the ones of the plurality of songs to the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one web site from which the ones of the plurality of songs had previously been obtained, and providing the information to the electronic device comprises providing information to the electronic device enabling the electronic device to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from at least one web site.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of electronic devices associated with a user, and assigning the playlist to the electronic device comprises:

enabling the user to compose the playlist; and

enabling the user to assign the playlist to the electronic device selected from the plurality of electronic devices.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of electronic devices associated with a personal audio network comprising the plurality of electronic devices, a personal audio network client, and a personal audio network server, and assigning the playlist to the electronic device comprises:

enabling a user to interact with the personal audio network server via the personal audio network client to compose the playlist; and

enabling the user to interact with the personal audio network via the personal audio network client to assign the playlist to the electronic device selected from the plurality of electronic devices.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the personal audio network server stores the playlist, and:

providing the playlist to the electronic device comprises transferring the playlist from the personal audio network server to the electronic device; and

providing the information to the electronic device comprises providing information from the personal audio network server to the electronic device enabling the electronic device to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs that are not stored on the electronic device from the at least one remote source.

9. A method comprising:

receiving, at an electronic device, a playlist assigned to the electronic device, the playlist identifying a plurality of songs, wherein ones of the plurality of songs are not stored on the electronic device;

receiving, at the electronic device, information enabling the electronic device to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from at least one remote source; and

obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one remote source.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of associated electronic devices and the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices, and obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs comprises:

requesting the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices; and

receiving the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of associated electronic devices and the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices, and obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs comprises:

providing a request for the ones of the plurality of songs to a central server, wherein in response to the request, the central server uploads the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices; and

receiving the ones of the plurality of songs from the central server.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of associated electronic devices and the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices, and obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs comprises:

determining whether the electronic device is unable to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs;

if the electronic device is unable to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices;

providing a request for the ones of the plurality of songs to a central server, wherein in response to the request, the central server uploads the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices; and

receiving the ones of the plurality of songs from the central server; and

if the electronic device is able to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices;

requesting the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices; and

receiving the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of associated electronic devices.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one web site from which the ones of the plurality of songs had previously been obtained, and obtaining the ones of the plurality of songs comprises:

requesting the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one web site; and

receiving the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one web site.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the electronic device is one of a plurality of electronic devices associated with a personal audio network comprising the plurality of electronic devices and a personal audio network server, and

receiving the playlist assigned to the electronic device comprises receiving the playlist from the personal audio network, wherein the personal audio network server enables a user to assign the playlist to the electronic device;

and

receiving the information comprises receiving information from the personal audio network server enabling the electronic device to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one remote source.

15. A system comprising:

a) a plurality of electronic devices; and

b) a central system communicatively coupled to the plurality of electronic devices via a network, and adapted to;

i) assign a playlist to one of the plurality of electronic devices, the playlist identifying a plurality of songs;

ii) identify ones of the plurality of songs in the playlist that are not stored on the one of the plurality of electronic devices;

iii) provide the playlist to the one of the plurality of electronic devices; and

iv) provide information to the one of the plurality of electronic devices enabling the one of the plurality of electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from at least one remote source.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the central system is further adapted to:

identify at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices hosting the ones of the plurality of songs, wherein the at least one remote source is the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices; and

provide information to the one of the plurality of electronic devices enabling the one of the plurality of electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices, and the central system is further adapted to:

receive a request from the one of the plurality of electronic devices for the ones of the plurality of songs;

obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices; and

provide the ones of the plurality of songs to the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices, and the central system is further adapted to:

receive a request from the one of the plurality of electronic devices for the ones of the plurality of songs if the one of the plurality of electronic devices is unable to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs;

obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices in response to the request; and

provide the ones of the plurality of songs to the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one web site from which the ones of the plurality of songs had previously been obtained.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of electronic devices are associated with a user, and the control system is further adapted to enable the user to assign the playlist to the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the central system is further adapted to enable the user to compose the playlist.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein the one of the plurality of electronic devices is further adapted to:

receive the playlist assigned to the one of the plurality of electronic devices from the central system;

receive the information from the central system enabling the one of the plurality of electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one remote source; and

obtain the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one remote source.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices, and in order to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs, the one of the plurality of electronic devices is further adapted to:

request the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices; and

receive the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices, and in order to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs, the one of the plurality of electronic devices is further adapted to:

provide a request for the ones of the plurality of songs to the central system, wherein in response to the request, the central system uploads the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices; and

receive the ones of the plurality of songs from the central system.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one remote source is at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices, and in order to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs, the one of the plurality of electronic devices is further adapted to:

determine whether the one of the plurality of electronic devices is unable to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices to obtain the ones of the plurality of songs;

if the one of the plurality of electronic devices is unable to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices;

provide a request for the ones of the plurality of songs to the central system, wherein in response to the request, the central system uploads the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices; and

receive the ones of the plurality of songs from the central system; and

if the electronic device is able to connect to the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices;

request the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices; and

receive the ones of the plurality of songs from the at least one other of the plurality of electronic devices.

26. The system of claim 15 further comprising a personal audio network client, wherein the central system is a personal audio network server communicatively coupled to the personal audio network client and the plurality of electronic devices, and the personal audio network server is further adapted to enable the user to compose the playlist and assign the playlist to the one of the plurality of electronic devices via the personal audio network client.