Network of disparate processor-based devices to exchange and display media files

• US 7,426,532 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Issued: 09/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation, Wayne State University
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Bell, Cynthia S., Smith, Nathan Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Follansbee; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAFTUAR, SAKET K
• Application Number:
  US10/229,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20040044725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,212 Days
• Field of Search: 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/225, 709/231, 709/246
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A first type of processor-based device, such as a personal computer functioning as a host and containing digital media files, may wirelessly communicate with a second type of processor-based device or appliance, such as a digital picture frame (DPF). Upon request and/or at periodic intervals, the host may transmit menu items and/or media files to the DPF. Responsive to user choices entered at the DPF and transmitted to the host, the host may transmit further menu items and/or media files to the DPF. Methods of polling and registering one or more DPFs by a host, of retrieving media files by a host from the Internet satisfying user-specified search criteria, and of uploading media files from a DPF to a host, are also described, in addition to a network and a machine-accessible medium.

Claims

1. A method performed by a host comprising:

Storing a plurality of digital media files, the plurality of digital media files being organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files;

wirelessly transmitting a polling inquiry within the vicinity of the host;

determining whether a response to the polling inquiry is received from a processor-based appliance within a predetermined time interval, wherein the response comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;

upon determining that a response to the polling inquiry is received, registering the processor-based appliance;

retrieving text information from the host'"'"'s file structure in the preferred language and font; and

wirelessly transmitting the host'"'"'s identical file structure to the appliance in the preferred language and font.

2. The method recited in claim 1 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating the file structure of the plurality of digital media files to the appliance to render into one of a visual form and an audio form.

3. The method recited in claim 2 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating a choice from the file structure being displayed at the appliance to the host.

4. The method recited in claim 3 wherein the choice is one of a sub-menu item and a digital media file.

5. The method recited in claim 1 wherein registering comprises:

allocating resources in the host for the processor-based appliance; and

initializing the processor-based appliance.

6. The method recited in claim 1 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating a portion of the file structure to the processor-based appliance for display.

7. The method recited in claim 1 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating at least one digital media file to the processor-based appliance for display.

8. The method recited in claim 7 wherein, in communicating, the processor-based appliance comprises a digital picture frame having a display, and the at least one digital media file comprises a digital photograph.

9. The method recited in claim 1 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating a locale identifier to the processor-based appliance for display.

10. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the host comprises a personal computer.

11. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the processor-based appliance comprises a digital picture frame.

12. A method performed by a processor-based appliance comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a registration request within the vicinity of the appliance, wherein the registration request comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;

wherein the registration request further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;

wherein the registration request further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;

wherein the registration request further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;

wherein the registration request further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;

determining whether a response to the registration request is wirelessly received from a host within a specified time interval;

upon determining that a response to the registration request is wirelessly received from the host with the specified time interval, the appliance receiving confirmation of registration from the host; and

receiving from the host a plurality of digital media files organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files.

13. The method recited in claim 12 wherein the processor-based appliance comprises a digital picture frame having a display, and the at least one digital media file comprises a digital photograph.

14. The method recited in claim 12 wherein the method further comprises:

the processor-based appliance displaying at least one of digital media file and menu information from the host.

15. The method recited in claim 12 wherein, upon determining a response is not received, the method further comprises:

the processor-based appliance displaying at least one of a digital media file and menu information stored in the processor-based appliance.

16. The method recited in claim 12, wherein the host comprises a personal computer.

17. The method recited in claim 12, wherein the processor-based appliance comprises a digital picture frame.

18. A method performed by a host comprising:

storing a plurality of digital media files, the plurality of digital media files being organized in a three-level hierarchical file structure, wherein a first level includes a plurality of categories, wherein in a second level each category has a plurality of folders, wherein in a third level each folder has a plurality of sub-menu items, and wherein selected sub-menu items comprise thumbnail representations of digital media files;

wirelessly broadcasting a polling inquiry within the vicinity of the host;

receiving a registration response to the polling inquiry from a processor-based appliance within a predetermined time interval;

wherein the response comprises a unique appliance identifier for the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises user interface characteristics for the appliance, including a display resolution of the appliance, and a preferred language and font for a general user interface of the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises a storage capacity of the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises a list of data types and content file formats supported by the appliance;

wherein the response further comprises audio and visual playback characteristics of the appliance;

registering the registration response from the appliance;

retrieving text information from the host'"'"'s file structure in the preferred language and font; and

wirelessly transmitting the host'"'"'s identical file structure to the appliance in the preferred language and font.

19. The method recited in claim 18, wherein the plurality of digital media files comprise photographs, audio files, and video files.

20. The method recited in claim 19 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating at least one digital media file to the appliance for display.

21. The method recited in claim 18 and further comprising:

wirelessly communicating a locale identifier to the appliance for display, wherein the locale identifier identifies a physical location of the appliance.

22. The method recited in claim 18 wherein registering comprises:

allocating storage resources in the host for the appliance; and

initializing the appliance.

23. The method recited in claim 18 wherein transmitting comprises:

formatting the plurality of sub-menu items into multiple smaller groups for transmission to the appliance.