Media processing methods and arrangements
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- through use of a microphone in a viewer'"'"'s cell phone, identifying an item of entertainment content being rendered to the viewer by a first device that is different than the cell phone, the identified item being an episode of a series;
on a screen of the cell phone, presenting a listing of other episodes in the series, from which the viewer can select, and listing multiple alternative media sources for at least one of said other episodes;
receiving viewer input selecting an episode from said listing; and
selecting a media source from which to obtain the selected episode, from among said multiple alternative media sources.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology allow users to easily transfer displayed content from cell phone screens onto a television screens for easier viewing, or vice versa for content portability. Others enable users to participate interactively in entertainment content, such as by submitting plot directions, audio input, character names, etc., yielding more engaging, immersive, user experiences. Still other aspects of the technology involve a program directory database, compiled automatically from information reported by network nodes that watch and identify content traffic passing into (and/or out of) networked computers. By identifying content resident at a number of different repositories (e.g., web sites, TV networks, P2P systems, etc.), such a directory allows cell phone users to identify the diversity of sources from which desired content can be obtained—some available on a scheduled basis, others available on demand. Depending on the application, the directory information may be transparent to the user—serving to identify sources for desired content, from which application software can pick for content downloading, based, e.g., on context and stored profile data. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
44 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
through use of a microphone in a viewer'"'"'s cell phone, identifying an item of entertainment content being rendered to the viewer by a first device that is different than the cell phone, the identified item being an episode of a series; on a screen of the cell phone, presenting a listing of other episodes in the series, from which the viewer can select, and listing multiple alternative media sources for at least one of said other episodes; receiving viewer input selecting an episode from said listing; and selecting a media source from which to obtain the selected episode, from among said multiple alternative media sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A cell phone including a microphone, a processor and a memory, the memory including software instructions that configure the cell phone to perform acts including:
-
identifying an item of entertainment content being rendered to the viewer by a first device that is different than the cell phone, the identified item being an episode of a series, the identifying making use of the microphone; on a screen of the cell phone, presenting a listing of other episodes in the series, from which the viewer can select, and listing multiple alternative media sources for at least one of said other episodes; receiving viewer input selecting an episode from said listing; and selecting a media source from which to obtain the selected episode, from among said multiple alternative media sources. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing software instructions for configuring a system programmed thereby to perform acts including:
-
identifying an item of entertainment content being rendered to the viewer by a first device that is different than said system, said identifying employing audio information captured by a microphone of said system, the identified item being an episode of a series; on a screen of the system, presenting a listing of other episodes in the series, from which the viewer can select, and listing multiple alternative media sources for at least one of said other episodes; receiving viewer input selecting an episode from said listing; and selecting a media source from which to obtain the selected episode, from among said multiple alternative media sources. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification