Method of playing a multimedia content transmitted by a third-party on a user device

• US 20070121581A1
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Tricaud, Laurent
• Application Number:
  US10/573,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20070121581A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

The invention relates to transmitting a multimedia content to a user device and playing said multimedia content on said user device during booting of said user device. Transmission is achieved by downloading or by streaming. The invention allows transmission of a start-up content (for instance a video logo or advertisement) from an operator, a content provider or a manufacturer to the user device. According to the invention such a start-up content is customized by the third-party and can be updated when needed. The start-up content is transmitted at a time when it does not disturb the user (during booting the user would be unable to use his device anyway).

Claims

1. A user device comprising:

means for communicating via a network,

means for booting,

means for implementing, during said booting, a protocol for transmitting a multimedia content by a third-party device to said user device via said network,

means for playing, during said booting, a multimedia content transmitted by said third-party device.

2. A user device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a memory for storing a multimedia content, wherein:

a) said protocol-implementing means comprise;

means for transmitting a first request asking whether said third-party device has a multimedia content to download to said user device,

means for receiving a response to said first request,

means for sending a second request, depending at least on said response, said second request asking for the download of a multimedia content,

means for receiving the downloaded multimedia content,

means for storing the received content in said memory, and

b) said playing means are designed to play a multimedia content stored in said memory prior to said downloading.

3. A user device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a) said protocol-implementing means comprise;

means for transmitting a request asking for the streaming of a multimedia content, and

means for receiving a multimedia content streamed by said third-party device in response to said request, and

b) said playing means are designed to play the streamed multimedia content as it is received.

4. A user device as claimed in claim 3 comprising means for stopping playing when said booting is finished.

5. A method of playing a content on a user device having means for communicating via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

booting said user device,

implementing, during said booting, a protocol for transmitting a multimedia content by a third-party device to said user device via said network,

playing, during said booting, a multimedia content transmitted by said third-party device.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 of playing a multimedia content on a user device which comprises a memory for storing a multimedia content, wherein:

a) said protocol-implementing step comprises;

transmitting a first request from said user device, said first request asking whether said third-party device has a multimedia content to download to said user device,

transmitting a response to said user device, at least if said third-party device has a multimedia content to download,

transmitting a second request from said user device depending at least on said response, said second request asking for the download of said multimedia content,

downloading said multimedia content from said third-party device to said user device,

storing the downloaded multimedia content in said memory, and

b) said playing step comprises playing a multimedia content stored in said memory prior to said downloading.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 of playing a multimedia content on a user device, wherein:

a) said protocol-implementation step comprises;

transmitting a request from said user device, said request asking for the streaming of a multimedia content,

streaming a multimedia content from said third-party device to said user device in response to said request, and

b) said playing step comprises playing the streamed multimedia content on said user device as it is received.

8. A method of playing a multimedia content as claimed in claim 5, wherein said multimedia content is customized by said third-party.

9. A method of playing a multimedia content as claimed in claim 5, wherein said multimedia content is compressed.

12. A program comprising instructions for implementing a method as claimed in claim 5, when executed by a microprocessor of a user device.

10. A third-party device having means for communicating via a network and means for implementing a protocol for transmitting a multimedia content to a user device via said network, said protocol-implementing means comprising:

means for receiving a first request sent by said user device, said first request asking whether said third-party device has a multimedia content to download to said user device,

means for transmitting a response to said user device, at least if said third-party device has a multimedia content to download to said user device,

means for receiving a second request sent by said user device, said second request asking for the download of a multimedia content,

means for downloading a multimedia content to said user device upon reception of said second request.

11. A system comprising at least a user device, a third-party device and a network, wherein said user device and said third-party device comprise means for communicating via said network, and means for implementing a protocol for transmitting a multimedia content by said third-party device to said user device, said user device further comprising:

means for booting,

means for initiating implementation of said protocol during said booting, and

means for playing, during said booting, a multimedia content transmitted by said third-party device.