Hybrid set-top box for digital entertainment network

• US 20050251565A1
• Filed: 05/05/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black Hills Media, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Black Hills Media, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Weel, Martin
• Application Number:
  US10/840,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20050251565A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists

Abstract

A system for playing music uses a playlist server in communication with the Internet. The playlist server has a plurality of playlists stored thereon. A content server is also in communication with the Internet. The content server has a plurality of songs stored thereon. A rendering device plays songs. A set-top box in communication with the rendering device facilitates communication of the songs from the content server to the rendering device via the Internet. A remote control controls the set-top box. The remote control is configured to obtain a playlist from the playlist server, facilitate selection of a song from the playlist, and control the set-top box so as to cause the set-top box to download the song and cause the song to play on the rendering device.

Claims

1. A system for playing music, the system comprising:

a playlist server in communication with the Internet, the playlist server having a plurality of playlists stored thereon;

a content server in communication with the Internet, the content server having a plurality of songs stored thereon;

a rendering device for playing songs;

a set-top box in communication with the rendering device for facilitating communication of the songs from the content server to the rendering device via the Internet;

a remote control for controlling the set-top box; and

wherein the remote control is configured to obtain a playlist from the playlist server, facilitate selection of a song from the playlist, and control the set-top box so as to cause the set-top box to download the song and cause the song to play on the rendering device.

2. The system for playing music as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control is dockable to the set-top box.

3. The system for playing music as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control is dockable to the set-top box and is in wired communication with the set-top box when docked thereto.

4. The system for playing music as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control is dockable to the set-top box and can be used to control the set-top box when docked thereto.

5. The system for playing music as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a display and a keypad for facilitating control of the set-top box.

6. The system for playing music as recited in claim 1, wherein the set-top box comprises a display and a keypad for facilitating control thereof.

7. A method for providing content, the method comprising selecting content from a remote control and providing the selected content to a media player via a network.