Media asset streaming over network to devices

• US 9,961,122 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2017
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NTF Casting LLC
• Original Assignee: Kojicast, LLC
• Inventors: Yoden, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN GILLES, JUDE
• Application Number:
  US15/644,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20170310728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• Field of Search: 709219, 709231-236
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast

Abstract

Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user'"'"'s operation or in case of disconnection.

Claims

1. A server comprising:

an interface configured to communicate with a mobile communication device and to communicate with a media playback device, wherein the mobile communication device is associated with a first internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein the media playback device is associated with a second IP address that is different than the first IP address;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

initiating transmission of media content information indicative of a plurality of media content items to the mobile communication device in response to receipt of a first request from the mobile communication device; and

responsive to a second request for a first media content item of the plurality of media content items from the media playback device, initiating transmission of a stream of the first media content item to the media playback device to enable playback of the first media content item at the media playback device while progress information related to the playback of the first media content item is displayed at the mobile communication device.

2. The server of claim 1, wherein the progress information is indicated by a visual indication of a duration of a played back portion of the first media content item with respect to a total duration of the first media content item.

3. The server of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise initiating transmission of a second stream of the first media content item to the mobile communication device.

4. The server of claim 3, wherein the second stream is transmitted to the mobile communication device prior to receipt of the second request from the media playback device.

5. The server of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise terminating the second stream to the mobile communication device prior to initiating transmission of the stream to the media playback device.

6. The server of claim 5, wherein the second request from the media playback device is received during transmission of the second stream to the mobile communication device.

7. The server of claim 5, wherein the second stream is terminated responsive to receipt of the second request from the media playback device.

8. The server of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises circuitry configured to communicate in accordance with a cellular communication protocol, circuitry configured to communicate via a wireless network communication protocol, circuitry configured to communicate via a local area network (LAN) protocol, or a combination thereof.

9. A server comprising:

an interface configured to communicate with a mobile communication device and to communicate with a media playback device, wherein the mobile communication device is associated with a first internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein the media playback device is associated with a second IP address that is different than the first IP address;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

initiating transmission of media content information indicative of a plurality of media content items to the mobile communication device in response to receipt of a first request from the mobile communication device;

determining a destination indicated in a second request for a first media content item of the plurality of media content items received at the server, wherein the destination includes the mobile communication device or the media playback device;

responsive to determining that the destination is the mobile communication device, initiating transmission of a first stream of the first media content item from the server to the mobile communication device; and

responsive to determining that the destination is the media playback device, initiating transmission of a second stream of the first media content item to the media playback device to enable playback of the first media content item at the media playback device while progress information related to the playback of the first media content item is displayed at the mobile communication device.

10. The server of claim 9, wherein the progress information is indicated by a visual indication of a duration of a played back portion of the first media content item with respect to a total duration of the first media content item.

11. The server of claim 9, wherein the interface comprises circuitry configured to communicate in accordance with a cellular communication protocol, circuitry configured to communicate via a wireless network communication protocol, circuitry configured to communicate via a local area network (LAN) protocol, or a combination thereof.

12. The server of claim 9, wherein the second request for the first media content item is received from the mobile communication device.

13. The server of claim 9, wherein the second request for the first media content item is received from the media playback device.

14. The server of claim 9, wherein the media content information includes image data corresponding to thumbnail images of the plurality of media content items.