Intelligent interaction between media player and host computer

• US 7,769,903 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Robbin, Jeffrey L., Heller, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Divecha; Kamal B
• Application Number:
  US11/757,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20070239849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 709/248, 381/104
• US Class Current: 709/248
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format

Abstract

Improved techniques for interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player are disclosed. According to one aspect, interaction between a host computer and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host computer, can be restricted. According to another aspect, management of media items residing on a media player can be performed at and by a host computer for the media player. According to still another aspect, media content can be played by a media player in accordance with quality settings established for the media content at the host computer.

Claims

1. A system for managing and playing media data, said system comprising:

a host computer including a memory that stores a plurality of media items and at least a first playlist, the first playlist being created by a user interacting with said host computer to select certain of the media items to be included within the first playlist; and

a portable media player that, when operatively connected to said host computer, receives media data for one or more of the media items from said host computer and stores the received media data, and receives at least the first playlist from said host computer and stores the first playlist,

wherein, when said portable media player operatively connects to said host computer, said host computer automatically synchronizes one or more media items between said portable media player and said host computer by identifying the one or more items based on a comparison of media information data stored at said portable media player with media information data stored at said host computer, and by transferring media item data and media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer to said portable media player, wherein, for each of the one or more media items, said host computer transfers (i) a first electronic file including the media item data for the corresponding media item, and (ii) a second electronic file including the media information data for at least the corresponding media item, the second electronic file being distinct from the first electronic file,

wherein the media item data and the media information data transferred to said portable media player from said host computer are separately stored thereon, whereby for each of the one or more media items being received, the media item data included in the first electronic file is stored in a media store at said portable media player, and the media information data included in the second electronic file is stored in a media database at said portable media player,

wherein the media information data includes at least one equalization setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from said host computer to said portable media player, whereby equalization settings at the host computer control corresponding equalization settings on the portable media player,

wherein the media information data further includes at least one volume setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from said host computer to said portable media player,

wherein, when one or more of the media items is to be played by the portable media player, the media player is configured in accordance with the at least one equalization setting and the volume setting that corresponding to the one of the media items to be played,

wherein at least one of the at least one equalization setting is user-specified at the host computer,

wherein the at least one equalization setting pertains to amplitude settings for a plurality of different frequency bands and impacts dynamic range of the one of the media items to be played by the portable media player, and

wherein the at least one equalization setting is selected from a plurality of predetermined equalization settings.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said portable media player includes a hard drive that stores the media items and the first playlist being received from said host computer.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said host computer is used to manage the media items on both said host computer and said portable media player.

4. A system as recited in claim 1,

wherein said host computer includes at least a management module and a play module, and

wherein said portable media player includes at least a play module but not a management module.

5. A system as recited in claim 4,

wherein said management module allows a user to add and remove media items from said host computer,

wherein said management module operates to synchronize media items between said portable media player and said host computer once said portable media player connects with said host computer, and

wherein media items are automatically added or removed from said portable media player by said management module once said portable media player connects with said host computer.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said portable media player includes a media database storing the player media information data, and wherein said host computer includes a media database storing the host media information data.

7. A system as recited in claim 4, wherein said management module allows a user to add and remove media items or playlists from said host computer.

8. A system as recited in claim 7, wherein media items or playlists are added or removed from said portable media player once said portable media player connects with said host computer.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said management module operates to synchronize media items or playlists between said portable media player and said host computer once said portable media player connects with said host computer.

10. A system for managing and playing media data, said system comprising:

a host computer including at least a management module for managing a plurality of media items, a host play module for playing the media items for a user of said host computer, and a host media memory for storing a plurality of media items; and

a portable media player including at least a player media memory for storing a plurality of media items, and a player play module for playing the media items stored in said player media memory for a user of said portable media player,

wherein said portable media player lacks a management module,

wherein, when said portable media player operatively connects to said host computer, said host computer automatically synchronizes the one or more media items between said portable media player and said host computer by identifying the one or more items based on a comparison of media information data at said portable media player with the media information data at said host computer, and by transferring media item data and media information data for the one or more media items from said host computer to said portable media player,

wherein, for each of the one or more media items, said host computer transfers (i) a first electronic file including the media item data for the corresponding media item, and (ii) a second electronic file including the media information data for the corresponding media item, the second electronic file being distinct from the first electronic file,

wherein the media item data and the media information data transferred to said portable media player from said host computer are separately stored thereon, whereby for each of the one or more media items being received, the media item data included in the first electronic file is stored in said player media memory at said portable media player, and the media information data included in the second electronic file is stored in a media database at said portable media player,

wherein the media information data includes at least one or more user-specified quality settings for playing of the media items, and wherein the one or more user-specified quality settings include at least one equalization setting for the one or more media items, whereby equalization settings at the host computer control corresponding equalization settings on the portable media player,

wherein the media information data further includes at least one volume setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from said host computer to said portable media player,

wherein, when one or more of the media items is to be played by the player play module of the portable media player, the media player is configured in accordance with the at least one equalization setting and the volume setting that corresponds to the one of the media items to be played,

wherein at least one of the one or more user-specified quality settings are user-specified at the host computer via the management module at the host computer,

wherein the at least one equalization setting pertains to amplitude settings for a plurality of different frequency bands and impacts dynamic range of the one of the media items to be played by the player play module of the portable media player, and

wherein the at least one equalization setting is selected from a plurality of predetermined equalization settings.

11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein said player media memory comprises a hard drive.

12. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein said management module allows a user to add and remove media items from said host computer.

13. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein said management module operates to synchronize media items between said portable media player and said host computer once said portable media player connects with said host computer.

14. A method for transferring one or more media items of a plurality of media items from a host computer to a portable media player and playing the one or more media items at the portable media player, the host computer storing the plurality of media items, each of the one or more media items including media item data and media information data, said method comprising:

detecting a connection of the portable media player to the host computer; and

transferring the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer to the portable media player,

wherein, for each of the one or more media items, said transferring transfers (i) a first electronic file including the media item data for the corresponding media item, and (ii) a second electronic file including the media information data for the corresponding media item, the second electronic file being distinct from the first electronic file,

wherein the media item data and the media information data transferred to the portable media player from the host computer are separately stored thereon, whereby for each of the one or more media items being received, the media item data included in the first electronic file is stored in said media store at the portable media player, and the media information data included in the second electronic file is stored in a media database at said portable media player,

wherein the media information data includes at least quality characteristics for playing of the media items, and wherein the quality characteristics are user-specified and include at least equalization settings,

wherein the equalization settings are user-specified at the host computer at the host computer and transferred to the portable media player by said transferring,

wherein the equalization settings pertain to amplitude settings for a plurality of different frequency bands and impact dynamic range of the associated media item when played on the portable media player, and the equalization settings are determined from a plurality of predetermined equalization settings,

wherein the predetermined equalization settings at the host computer are linked to corresponding equalization settings on the portable media player,

wherein the portable media player and the host computer are separate devices,

wherein said transferring of the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer to the portable media player is automatic when said detecting detects the connection between the portable media player and the host computer,

wherein said transferring is associated with a synchronization of the media items between said portable media player and said host computer based on a comparison of media information at the portable media player with the host media information at the host computer,

wherein said receiving, at the portable media player, the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer is automatic,

wherein the media information data further includes at least one user-specified volume setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from the host computer to the portable media player, and

wherein when the portable media player is configured to play one or more of the media items, the portable media player is configured to play the one or more of the media items in accordance with the user-specified equalization setting and the user-specified volume setting corresponding thereto.

19. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said method further comprises:

identifying a media item having media item data and media information data at the portable media player;

retrieving, from the portable media player, at least one equalization setting or volume setting for the identified media item to be played;

configuring the portable media player in accordance with the at least one equalization setting or volume setting for the identified media item to be played; and

thereafter playing the identified media item on the portable media player as configured.

15. A method for transferring one or more media items of a plurality of media items from a host computer to a portable media player and playing the one or more media items at the portable media player, the host computer storing the plurality of media items, each of the one or more media items including media item data and media information data, said method comprising:

detecting a connection of the portable media player and the host computer; and

transferring the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer to the portable media player,

wherein, for each of the one or more media items, said transferring transfers (i) a first electronic file including the media item data for the corresponding media item, and (ii) a second electronic file including the media information data for the corresponding media item, the second electronic file being distinct from the first electronic file,

wherein the media item data and the media information data transferred to the portable media player from the host computer are separately stored thereon, whereby for each of the one or more media items being received, the media item data included in the first electronic file is stored in said media store at the portable media player, and the media information data included in the second electronic file is stored in a media database at said portable media player, and

wherein the media information data includes at least one equalization setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from the host computer to the portable media player,

wherein the at least one equalization setting are user-specified at the host computer and transferred to the portable media player by said transferring,

wherein the at least one equalization setting pertains to amplitude settings for a plurality of different frequency bands and impact dynamic range of the associated media item when played on the portable media player, and the at least one equalization setting is determined from a plurality of predetermined equalization settings,

wherein the predetermined equalization settings at the host computer correspond to equalization settings on the portable media player,

wherein the portable media player and the host computer are separate devices,

wherein said transferring of the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer to the portable media player is automatic when said detecting detects the connection between the portable media player and the host computer,

wherein said transferring is associated with a synchronization of the media items between said portable media player and said host computer based on a comparison of media information at the portable media player with the host media information at the host computer,

wherein the media information data further includes at least one user-specified volume setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from the host computer to the portable media player, and

wherein when the portable media player is configured to play one or more of the media items, the portable media player is configured to play the one or more of the media items in accordance with the user-specified equalization setting and the user-specified volume setting corresponding thereto.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the equalization settings are user-specified by specifying particular amplitude levels for a plurality of different frequency ranges.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the media player includes a media store and a player media database, and wherein the media item data is stored in the media store and the media attribute data is stored to the player media database.

18. A method for transferring one or more media items of a plurality of media items from a host computer to a portable media player and playing the one or more media items at the portable media player, the host computer storing the plurality of media items, each of the one or more media items including media item data and media information data, said method comprising:

establishing a connection between the portable media player and the host computer;

receiving, at the portable media player, the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer, wherein, for each of the one or more media items, said receiving receives (i) a first electronic file including the media item data for the corresponding media item, and (ii) a second electronic file including the media information data for the corresponding media item, the second electronic file being distinct from the first electronic file;

storing, for each of the one or more media items being received, the media item data included in the first electronic file in a media store at the portable media player, and the media information data included in the second electronic file in a media database at the portable media player;

subsequently receiving an identification of a media item to be played, the identified media item having media item data and media information data at the portable media player;

retrieving, from the portable media player, at least a portion of the media information data for the identified media item to be played, the identified media item having the media information data and the media item data for the identified media item previously received at the portable media player, and the portion of the media information data being retrieved including at least one or more user-specified quality settings associated with the identified media item;

configuring the portable media player in accordance with the one or more user-specified quality settings associated with the identified media item as retrieved from the portable media player; and

thereafter playing the identified media item on the portable media player as configured,

wherein at least one of the one or more user-specified quality settings are user-specified at the host computer via a management module at the host computer,

wherein the one or more user-specified quality settings include at least one equalization setting selected from a plurality of predetermined equalization settings, and the user-specified equalization settings pertain to amplitude settings for a plurality of different frequency bands and impact dynamic range of the identified media item while being played on the portable media player,

wherein the predetermined equalization settings at the host computer correspond to equalization settings on the portable media player,

wherein the portable media player and the host computer are separate devices,

wherein said receiving is associated with a synchronization of the media items between the portable media player and the host computer based on a comparison of media information data at the portable media player with media information data at the host computer,

wherein said receiving, at the portable media player, the media item data and the media information data for the one or more media items from the host computer is automatic,

wherein the media information data further includes at least one user-specified volume setting for each of one or more of the media items being transferred from said host computer to the portable media player, and

wherein when the portable media player is configured to play one or more of the media items, the portable media player is configured to play the one or more of the media items in accordance with the user-specified equalization setting and the user-specified volume setting corresponding thereto.