Multi-mode media device using metadata to access media content

• US 8,725,063 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2010
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Inventors: Krampf, Steven, Ross, Evan B., Phung, Trung Quoc
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH C
• Application Number:
  US12/906,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20110072347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 455/412, 455/414, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/44, 455/45, 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/150.1, 455/185.1, 455/186.1, 700/94
• US Class Current: 455/3.05
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/185 Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/25 Remote control device with display
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/088 with parts of the receiver detachable or collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/45 for FM stereophonic broadcast systems receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

A multi-mode media device arranged to store digital media content and at least in part wirelessly access and/or control a separate media source configured to provide media content to a separate media output unit. In a first mode, the media device displays a list of media content stored on the device; receives a selection signal to play a selected media content; and plays the selected content on the device. In a second mode, the device operatively connects to a media source, permitting the device to issue commands to the source; at least in part wirelessly transmits a selection signal including a media content request from the device to the media source; and in response to the media content request, the media source delivers the appropriate media content from the media source to a media output unit for output, based on the media content request.

Claims

1. A method of using a media device, comprising:

configuring the media device to operate in a first mode and in a second mode, selectively, wherein

(A) when in the first mode, the media device performs the operations of (1) displaying, on a display of the media device, a list of digital media content stored on said media device, (2) receiving from a user an indication to play a selected digital media content from among the displayed list of content, and (3) playing the selected digital media content on the media device; and

(B) when in the second mode, the media device performs the operations of (1) operatively connecting the media device with (a) a separate, selected first media source via at least in part an internet or with (b) a separate, selected second media source via a local network, to permit the media device to effect, at least in part, operation of the selected media source, and (2) sending, at least in part wirelessly, a media content control signal from the media device to the selected media source, said control signal causing the selected media source to download or stream media content responsive to the media content control signal from the selected media first or second source to a media output unit, for outputting via a media output unit that is separate from said media device, whereby the user selectively controls the first media source and/or the second media source for content downloading or streaming.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

in the second mode, the media device displaying a menu having a number of user selectable content items; and

in response to user selection of a particular one of the user selectable items, generating the media content control signal based upon the selected item.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein the media content request command includes digital media file metadata associated with a particular digital media file containing the requested digital media content.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the digital media file metadata includes a digital media file title.

5. The digital media device of claim 2 wherein in the second mode, the second media source is co-housed with or directly connected to the media output unit.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein in the second mode, the selected media source downloads or streams the selected media content to the media device and the media device sends said media content to an output unit that is separate from the media device for outputting.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the output unit is connected to the media device using a wireless connection.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the output unit is connected to the media device using a wireline connection.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein in the first or the second mode, the media device at least in part uses voice prompts in connection with displaying the menu or user selection of a particular one of the user selectable items.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein in the first or the second mode, displaying the menu or user selection of a particular one of the user selectable items comprises displaying by the media device at least in part on a touch screen and in response, receiving user input.

11. The digital media device of claim 1 wherein the media device is a portable hand-held device.

12. The digital media device of claim 2 wherein the media device is a portable hand-held device.

13. The method of claim 1, further including wherein when in second mode, operatively connecting the media device and a selected media source includes receiving user input comprising selection of said media source.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected second media source is co-housed with or directly connected to the media output unit.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected first media source is remote from the media output unit.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein in second mode, the second media source is a server on a local network.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the local server is an iTunes server.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the local server is a Realplayer server.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein in second mode, the first media source is a service remote from said media device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the remote media source is iTunes.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the remote media source is Rhapsody.

22. A digital media device, comprising:

a network interface;

memory storing program instructions, media files, and media file metadata;

a display device arranged to display a user interface having a number of user selectable items; and

a processor unit configured to operate the digital media device in a first mode and in a second mode, selectively;

wherein (A) when the digital media device is operated in the first mode, in response to a user selection of a media file stored on the media device, the selected media file is played by the media device; and

(B) when the media device is operated in the second mode, the media device performs the operations of (1) operatively connecting the media device with (a) a separate, selected first media source via at least in part an internet, or with (b) a separate, selected second media source via a local network, to permit said media device to effect, at least in part, operation of the selected first or second media source, (2) in response to a user selection of one of the user selectable items the media device sends, via the network interface to the selected first or second media source, a media content request command including multimedia file metadata identifying a media file stored on the selected media source, such that when the media source receives the media content request command, it responds by accessing the identified media file and downloading or streaming the identified media file to a media output unit separate from said media device, whereby the user selectively controls the first media source and/or the second media source for content downloading or streaming.

23. The digital media device of claim 22 wherein the display comprises at least in part a touch screen for receiving user selection of a media file or item.

24. The digital media device of claim 22 wherein the second media source is co-housed with or directly connected to the digital media output unit.

25. The digital media device of claim 22 wherein the first media source is remote from the digital media device.

26. The digital media device of claim 22 wherein the media device is a portable hand-held device.

27. The digital media device of claim 22, wherein in first or second mode, the media device at least in part uses voice prompts in connection with user selection of a media file or item.

28. The digital media device of claim 22 wherein when the media device is operated in second mode, the selected media source downloads or streams the selected media content to the media device and the media device sends said media content to an output unit that is separate from the media device for outputting.

29. The digital media device of claim 28 further comprising an output unit that is connected to the digital media device using a wireless connection.

30. The digital media device of claim 28 further comprising an output unit that is connected to the digital media device using a wireline connection.

31. A method of using a media player, comprising:

configuring the media player to operate in a first mode or in a second mode, selectively, wherein

(A) when in the first mode, the media player performs the operations of (1) displaying a list of digital media files stored on said media player on a display of the media player, (2) receiving from a user a selection from among the displayed list of content of a digital media file to be played by said media player, and (3) playing the selected digital media file on the media player; and

(B) when in the second mode, the media player performs the operations of (1) operatively connecting the media player to (a) a separate selected first media server via at least in part an internet or to (b) a separate, selected second media server via a local network to permit the media player to effectuate, at least in part, operation of the selected media server, and (2) sending, at least in part wirelessly, a media content control signal from the media player to the selected first or second media server, and wherein in response to the media content control signal, the selected first or second media server downloads or streams the appropriate media content, based on the media content control signal, to a media output unit, for outputting via the media output unit, whereby the user selectively controls the first media server and/or the second media server for content downloading or streaming.

32. The method of using a media player of claim 31 further comprising when in second mode, the selected media server downloading or streaming the selected media content to the media player and the media player sending said media content to an output unit that is separate from the media player for outputting.

33. The method of claim 32 further wherein the output unit is connected to the media player using a wireless connection.

34. The method of claim 32 further wherein the output unit is connected to the media player using a wireline connection.

35. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

in the first mode, the digital media player displaying a menu having a number of user selectable items; and

in response to a user selecting a particular one of the user selectable items, playing the selected item.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising, in the first mode or the second mode, receiving a user selection via at least in part a touch screen.

37. The method of claim 35 further wherein in first or second mode, the media player at least in part uses voice prompts in connection with receiving a user selection.

38. The method of claim 35 wherein when in first mode, the digital media player sends a digital media file to an output unit separate from said the digital media player.

39. The method of claim 35 wherein when in first mode, the digital media player sends a digital media stream to an output unit separate from said the digital media player.

40. The method of claim 35 wherein the selected item is associated with a particular one of the digital media files.

41. The method of claim 35 wherein the media control signal includes digital media content metadata associated with the particular digital media content.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the digital media content metadata includes a digital media content title.

43. The method of claim 35 wherein the second media server is co-housed with or directly connected to the media output unit and wherein the media output unit is separate from the media player.

44. The digital media device of claim 31 wherein the media player is a portable hand-held device.

45. The method of claim 31 wherein the second media server is co-housed with or directly connected to the media output unit and wherein the media output unit is separate from the media player.

46. The method of claim 31 wherein in the first mode, the digital media player sends a digital media file or stream to an output unit that is separate from the digital media player.

47. The method of claim 31 wherein in second mode, the second media server is an iTunes server.

48. The method of claim 31 wherein in second mode, the second media server is a Realplayer server.

49. The method of claim 31 wherein in second mode, the first media server is an iTunes server.

50. The method of claim 31 wherein in second mode, the first media server is a Rhapsody server.

51. A digital media player, comprising:

a network interface;

memory storing program instructions, media files, and media file metadata;

a display device arranged to display a user interface having a number of user selectable items; and

a processor unit configured to operate the digital media player in a first mode and in a second mode, selectively;

wherein (A) when the digital media player is operated in the first mode, in response to a user selection of a media file stored on the media player, the selected media file is played by the media player; and

(B) when the media player is operated in the second mode, the media player performs the operations of (1) operatively connecting the media player to (a) a separate, selected media server via an internet, or to (b) a separate, selected second media server via a local network, to permit said media player to effect, at least in part, operation of the selected first or second media server, (2) in response to a user selection of one of the user selectable items the player communicates to a selected media server, via the network interface, a media request control signal including media file metadata identifying a media file stored on the selected media server, such that when the selected media server receives the media request control signal sent by the network interface, it responds to the media request control signal by accessing the identified media file downloading or streaming the identified media file to a media output unit separate from said media player, whereby the user selectively controls the first media server and/or the second media server for content downloading or streaming.

52. The digital media player of claim 51 wherein in first or second mode, the display device comprises at least in part uses a touch screen configured to receive a user selection.

53. The digital media player of claim 51 further wherein in first or second mode, the media player at least in part uses voice prompts in connection with receiving a user selection.

54. The digital media device of claim 51 wherein the media player is a portable hand-held device.

55. The digital media device of claim 51 wherein when in first mode, the digital media player sends the selected media file to an output unit separate from said digital media device.

56. The digital media player of claim 51 wherein in the second mode, the second media server is co-housed with or directly connected to the media output unit.

57. The digital media device of claim 51 wherein when in first mode, the digital media player sends a digital media stream to an output unit separate from said digital media device.

58. The digital media player of claim 51 wherein in the second mode, the first media server is remote from the digital media player.

59. The digital media player of claim 51 wherein when the media player is operated in second mode, the selected media server downloads or streams the selected media content to the media player which sends said media content to an output unit that is separate from said media player for outputting.

60. The digital media player of claim 59 further comprising an output unit that is connected to the digital media player using a wireless connection.

61. The digital media player of claim 59 further comprising an output unit that is connected to the digital media player using a wireline connection.