System and method for managing playback of streaming digital content
First Claim
1. A method for configuring a target device to play a selected title, the method comprising:
- discovering by the target device a controller device within a local network, wherein the controller device is coupled to a content server and configured to identify the selected title from a plurality of titles stored by the content server;
establishing an association with the controller device by transmitting from the target device a first unique identifier associated with the target device to the controller device, and receiving by the target device a second unique identifier associated with the controller devicetransmitting by the target device both the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier, which establish the association with the controller device, to the content server to enable the content server to mediate negotiations between the target device and the controller device;
receiving at the target device a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and
if the service application is available, then notifying the controller device that the target device is configured to play the selected title, orif the service application is not available, then performing one or more operations to install the service application on the target device.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for managing playback of digital content on two or more different playback devices. 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.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for configuring a target device to play a selected title, the method comprising:
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discovering by the target device a controller device within a local network, wherein the controller device is coupled to a content server and configured to identify the selected title from a plurality of titles stored by the content server; establishing an association with the controller device by transmitting from the target device a first unique identifier associated with the target device to the controller device, and receiving by the target device a second unique identifier associated with the controller device transmitting by the target device both the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier, which establish the association with the controller device, to the content server to enable the content server to mediate negotiations between the target device and the controller device; receiving at the target device a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and if the service application is available, then notifying the controller device that the target device is configured to play the selected title, or if the service application is not available, then performing one or more operations to install the service application on the target device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to configure a target device to play a selected title, by performing the steps of:
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discovering by the target device a controller device within a local network, wherein the controller device is coupled to a content server and configured to identify the selected title from a plurality of titles stored by the content server; establishing an association with the controller device by transmitting from the target device a first unique identifier associated with the target device to the controller device, and receiving by the target device a second unique identifier associated with the controller device transmitting by the target device both the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier, which establish the association with the controller device, to the content server to enable the content server to mediate negotiations between the target device and the controller device; receiving at the target device a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and if the service application is available, then notifying the controller device that the target device is configured to play the selected title, or if the service application is not available, then performing one or more operations to install the service application on the target device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A target device configured to play a selected title, the target 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 by the target device a controller device within a local network, wherein the controller device is coupled to a content server and configured to identify the selected title from a plurality of titles stored by the content server; establish an association with the controller device by transmitting from the target device a first unique identifier associated with the target device to the controller device, and receiving by the target device a second unique identifier associated with the controller device transmit by the target device both the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier, which establish the association with the controller device, to the content server to enable the content server to mediate negotiations between the target device and the controller device; receive a query from the controller device to determine whether a service application is available on the target device; and if the service application is available, then notify the controller device that the target device is configured to play the selected title, or if the service application is not available, then perform one or more operations to install the service application on the target device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification