Methods and systems for dynamic creation of hotspots for media control

• US 9,432,428 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2015
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spotify AB (Spotify Technology SA)
• Original Assignee: Spotify AB (Spotify Technology SA)
• Inventors: Werkelin Ahlin, Oskar, Sigfrids, Karl, Eckerdal, Per, Titmuss, Richard, Shrubsole, Evan, Kirkpatrick, Jamie
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar, Saleh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Korsak, Oleg
• Application Number:
  US14/817,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20160191590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08

Abstract

Methods, systems, and/or devices for controlling media presentation at a shared media presentation system are described herein. In one aspect, a first electronic device detects user input requesting to indicate availability of a media presentation system for use by one or more other electronic devices. In response to detecting the user input, the first electronic device transmits an indication of availability of the media presentation system for use by the one or more other electronic devices. The first electronic device also receives, from a second electronic device of the one or more other electronic devices, a request for access to the media presentation system. In response to receiving the request, the first electronic device transmits, to the second electronic device, an authentication token that allows the second electronic device to access the media presentation system through submission of media control requests that include the authentication token.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing one or more programs configured for execution by one or more processors of a first electronic device distinct from a media presentation system and a server system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

receiving, from the server system, authorization for the first electronic device to control the media presentation system;

detecting user input at the first electronic device requesting to indicate availability of the media presentation system for use by one or more other electronic devices that are distinct from the first electronic device;

in response to detecting the user input, transmitting from the first electronic device an indication of availability of the media presentation system for use by the one or more other electronic devices; and

in response to receiving a request for access to the media presentation system from a second electronic device of the one or more other electronic devices, transmitting, from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, an authentication token that allows the second electronic device to access the media presentation system through submission to the server system of media control requests that include the authentication token while the first electronic device is also authorized to control the media presentation system.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for receiving the authentication token from a server system.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 2, wherein the instructions for receiving the authentication token from the server system comprise instructions for receiving the authentication token in response to the user input.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for generating the authentication token.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions for detecting the user input comprise instructions for detecting a gesture in a media-application user interface that is displayed on a touch-sensitive display of the first electronic device.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

in response to detecting the user input, updating the media-application user interface to indicate that the media presentation system is available for use by the one or more other electronic devices.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions for detecting the user input comprise instructions for receiving one or more access-control settings corresponding to the media presentation system, wherein the one or more access-control settings specify access limitations for the one or more other electronic devices with respect to the media presentation system.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

determining whether the second electronic device is within a predefined distance of the first electronic device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second electronic device is within the predefined distance of the first electronic device, permitting the second electronic device to access the media presentation system through the submission of media control requests that include the authentication token.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

after transmitting the authentication token to the second electronic device, detecting additional user input requesting to cease indicating availability of the media presentation system for use by the one or more other electronic devices; and

in response to detecting the additional user input, initiating invalidation of the authentication token.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions for initiating invalidation of the authentication token comprise instructions for sending a message to a server system indicating that the media presentation system is no longer available for use by the one or more other electronic devices.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for specifying a period of time after which the authentication token is to expire.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for initiating invalidation of the authentication token.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

after initiating invalidation of the authentication token, notifying the second electronic device that access to the media presentation system is revoked.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

receiving, from the second electronic device, a media control request that includes the authentication token;

verifying that the authentication token is valid; and

in response to the verifying, sending the media control request to a server system.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein a respective media control request comprises a request to perform one of the following functions at the media presentation system:

modify audio output parameters, play a song, play a video, play all songs within a playlist, play a movie, or modify video output parameters.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions for transmitting the indication of availability comprise instructions for broadcasting the indication of availability.

17. A method of controlling media presentation, performed at a first electronic device, distinct from a media presentation system and a server system, with a processor and memory storing instructions for execution by the processor, the method comprising:

receiving, from the server system, authorization to control the media presentation system;

detecting user input at the first electronic device requesting to indicate availability of the media presentation system for use by one or more other electronic devices that are distinct from the first electronic device;

in response to detecting the user input, transmitting from the first electronic device an indication of availability of the media presentation system for use by the one or more other electronic devices;

receiving, from a second electronic device of the one or more other electronic devices, a request for access to the media presentation system; and

in response to receiving the request, transmitting, from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, an authentication token that allows the second electronic device to access the media presentation system through submission to the server system of media control requests that include the authentication token while the first electronic device is also authorized to control the media presentation system.

18. A first electronic device that is distinct from a media presentation system and a server system, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing one or more programs which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first electronic device to;

receive, from the server system, authorization to control the media presentation system;

detect user input at the first electronic device requesting to indicate availability of the media presentation system for use by one or more other electronic devices that are distinct from the first electronic device;

in response to detecting the user input, transmit from the first electronic device an indication of availability of the media presentation system for use by the one or more other electronic devices; and

in response to receiving a request for access to the media presentation system from a second electronic device of the one or more other electronic devices, transmit, from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, an authentication token that allows the second electronic device to access the media presentation system through submission to the server system of media control requests that include the authentication token while the first electronic device is also authorized to control the media presentation system.