System and method for managing playback of streaming digital content
First Claim
1. A method implemented by a controller device for directing a target device to play a first title, comprising:
- discovering, by the controller device, the target device within a local network;
exchanging, by the controller device, unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device;
transmitting, by the controller device, a request to a content server machine to activate the target device, wherein the request indicates that the controller device is associated with the target device;
determining, by the controller device, whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server machine; and
if the target device includes the service application, then transmitting, by the controller device, one or more commands to the service application that direct the service application to stream the first title from the content server machine via a communication channel established between the target device and the content server machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a playback device designated as a controller is associated with a playback device designated as a playback target. Association is implemented via a local network discovery protocol. The controller issues commands to the target, which then streams digital content directly from a content server. The controller is able to separately stream related digital content for independent, but synchronized playback. Server mediated operations, such as device activation and application installation, are advantageously enabled by explicit association between the controller and the target.
69 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method implemented by a controller device for directing a target device to play a first title, comprising:
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discovering, by the controller device, the target device within a local network; exchanging, by the controller device, unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device; transmitting, by the controller device, a request to a content server machine to activate the target device, wherein the request indicates that the controller device is associated with the target device; determining, by the controller device, whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server machine; and if the target device includes the service application, then transmitting, by the controller device, one or more commands to the service application that direct the service application to stream the first title from the content server machine via a communication channel established between the target device and the content server machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a controller device, cause the controller device to direct a target device to play a first title, by performing the steps of:
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discovering the target device with a local network; exchanging unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device; transmitting a request to a content server machine to activate the target device, wherein the request indicates that the controller device is associated with the target device; determining whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server machine; and if the target device includes the service application, then transmitting one or more commands to the service application that direct the service application to stream the first title from the content server machine via a communication channel established between the target device and the content server machine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A controller device configured to direct a target device to play a first title, the controller device comprising:
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a network interface circuit configured to communicate with other devices within a local network; and a processor coupled to the network interface and configured to; discover the target device with the local network; exchange unique identifiers with the target device to establish an association with the target device; transmit a request to a content server machine to activate the target device, wherein the request indicates that the controller device is associated with the target device; determine whether the target device includes a service application through which the target device can communicate with the content server machine; and if the target device includes the service application, then transmit one or more commands to the service application that direct the service application to stream the first title from the content server machine via a communication channel established between the target device and the content server machine. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification