Content streaming apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of streaming media content, the method being implemented on a system including a first content player capable of establishing wireless communication with a first electronic device, the wireless communication between the first content player and the first electronic device being short range, wherein the first content player and the first electronic device are capable of wireless communication with one or more servers and one or more content servers,the method comprising:
- storing, in memory of the first electronic device, a plurality of playlists comprising a first playlist;
receiving input at a first electromechanical device of the first content player;
receiving, at the first electronic device, a first user input signal from the first content player, wherein the first user input signal is transmitted in response to the receiving of the input at the first electromechanical device;
powering on the first content player, if the first content player is off upon receiving the input at the first electromechanical device;
determining, at the first content player, whether a wireless connection has been established between the first electronic device and the first content player or wirelessly connecting the first electronic device and the first content player if no connection is determined between the first electronic device and the first content player;
determining, by the first electronic device, that the first user input signal comprises streaming command information,wherein the first content player comprises a stand-alone audio speaker assembly including one or more audio speakers and the first electromechanical device configured to be activated by being pressed by a user,wherein the first content player does not include a display,wherein the first user input signal is generated from the activation of the first electromechanical device by the user,wherein the first user input signal is generated only if a duration of pressing the first electromechanical device by the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, andwherein the streaming command information consists of information other than information configured to identify a media content file or a playlist within the plurality of playlists;
wirelessly transmitting, by the first electronic device, a first delivery command to a first server after it is determined that the first user input signal comprises the streaming command information,wherein the transmission of the first delivery command is provided automatically based on receipt of the streaming command information, andwherein the first delivery command comprises media identification information relating to the first playlist;
receiving, at the first electronic device or directly at the first content player, a first stream of information comprising at least one media content file contained within the first playlist from a first content server, wherein the first content server provides the first stream of information in response to receiving the first delivery command from the first server; and
transferring, when the first content server provides the at least one media content file to the first electronic device, the first stream of information from the first electronic device to the first content player.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosure include an improved content streaming system that is configured to simplify and streamline the process of streaming media content from one or more content providers to one or more electronic devices. In some embodiments, the interaction of a user with one or more components in a content distribution system is used to initiate the streaming of media content to one or more content players from either a first content server or a second content server.
92 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of streaming media content, the method being implemented on a system including a first content player capable of establishing wireless communication with a first electronic device, the wireless communication between the first content player and the first electronic device being short range, wherein the first content player and the first electronic device are capable of wireless communication with one or more servers and one or more content servers,
the method comprising: -
storing, in memory of the first electronic device, a plurality of playlists comprising a first playlist; receiving input at a first electromechanical device of the first content player; receiving, at the first electronic device, a first user input signal from the first content player, wherein the first user input signal is transmitted in response to the receiving of the input at the first electromechanical device; powering on the first content player, if the first content player is off upon receiving the input at the first electromechanical device; determining, at the first content player, whether a wireless connection has been established between the first electronic device and the first content player or wirelessly connecting the first electronic device and the first content player if no connection is determined between the first electronic device and the first content player; determining, by the first electronic device, that the first user input signal comprises streaming command information, wherein the first content player comprises a stand-alone audio speaker assembly including one or more audio speakers and the first electromechanical device configured to be activated by being pressed by a user, wherein the first content player does not include a display, wherein the first user input signal is generated from the activation of the first electromechanical device by the user, wherein the first user input signal is generated only if a duration of pressing the first electromechanical device by the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein the streaming command information consists of information other than information configured to identify a media content file or a playlist within the plurality of playlists; wirelessly transmitting, by the first electronic device, a first delivery command to a first server after it is determined that the first user input signal comprises the streaming command information, wherein the transmission of the first delivery command is provided automatically based on receipt of the streaming command information, and wherein the first delivery command comprises media identification information relating to the first playlist; receiving, at the first electronic device or directly at the first content player, a first stream of information comprising at least one media content file contained within the first playlist from a first content server, wherein the first content server provides the first stream of information in response to receiving the first delivery command from the first server; and transferring, when the first content server provides the at least one media content file to the first electronic device, the first stream of information from the first electronic device to the first content player. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of streaming media content, the method being implemented on a system including a first content player capable of establishing wireless communication with a first electronic device, the wireless communication between the first content player and the first electronic device being short range, wherein the first content player and the first electronic device are capable of wireless communication with one or more servers and one or more content servers,
the method comprising: -
storing, in memory of the first electronic device, a plurality of playlists comprising a first playlist; receiving input at a first electromechanical device of the first content player; receiving, at the first electronic device, a first user input signal from the first content player, wherein the first user input signal is transmitted in response to the receiving of the input at the first electromechanical device; powering on the first content player, if the first content player is off upon receiving the input at the first electromechanical device; determining, at the first content player, whether a wireless connection has been established between the first electronic device and the first content player or wirelessly connecting the first electronic device and the first content player if no connection is determined between the first electronic device and the first content player; determining, by the first electronic device, that the first user input signal comprises streaming command information, wherein the first content player comprises a stand-alone audio speaker assembly including one or more audio speakers and the first electromechanical device configured to be activated by being pressed by a user, wherein the first content player does not include a display, wherein the first user input signal is generated from the activation of the first electromechanical device by the user, wherein the first user input signal is generated only if a duration of pressing the first electromechanical device by the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein streaming command information consists of information other than information configured to identify a media content file or a playlist within the plurality of playlists; wirelessly transmitting, by the first electronic device, a first delivery command to a first content server based on determining that the first user input signal comprises the streaming command information, wherein the transmission of the first delivery command is provided automatically based on receipt of the streaming command information, and wherein the first delivery command comprises media identification information relating to the first playlist; receiving, at the first electronic device or directly at the first content player, a first stream of information comprising at least one media content file contained within the first playlist from a first content server, wherein the first content server provides the first stream of information in response to receiving the first delivery command from the first server; transferring, when the first content server provides the at least one media content to the first electronic device, the first stream of information from the first electronic device to the first content player; wirelessly transmitting a second delivery command to a second content server based on determining that the first user input signal comprises the streaming command information; receiving, at the first electronic device or directly at the first content player, a second stream of information comprising at least one additional media content file contained within a second playlist of the plurality of playlists from a second content server, wherein the second content server provides the second stream of information in response to receiving the first delivery command from the first server and in response to determining the first stream of information is approaching an end of the first playlist; and transferring, when the second content server provides the at least one additional media content to the first electronic device, the second stream of information from the first electronic device to the first content player. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification