Media data transfer

• US 8,706,159 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2006
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ng, Stanley C., Hodge, Andrew Bert, Fadell, Anthony M., Robbin, Jeffrey L., Borchers, Robert Edward, Bell, Chris, Cue, Eddy
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilodeau, David
• Application Number:
  US11/514,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,790 Days
• Field of Search: 455/554.2, 455/3.01, 455/414.2, 709/217, 709/229
• US Class Current: 455/554.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/95 for local area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

Methods and systems that facilitate data delivery to electronic devices are disclosed. One aspect pertains to data delivery to mobile devices. In one embodiment, a local server is provided at a particular location, such as at an establishment, venue, etc. The local server can operate to locally wirelessly transmit data to mobile devices within its vicinity. Typically, the mobile devices are associated with persons (users) at the particular location. The mobile devices, or their users, can control, request or influence the particular data content being delivered. The local server can also provide customized data to the mobile devices, individually or as a group. The customization can be based on location, characteristics, interests, preferences and/or requests of the users of the mobile devices.

Claims

1. A method for delivery of data from a local server to at least one portable electronic device that can couple to a local wireless network while in the vicinity of an establishment, the method comprising:

determining, by the local server, the at least one portable electronic device in the vicinity of the establishment;

retrieving stored data from the at least one portable electronic device, the retrieved stored data including at least history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

determining data to be provided from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device based on the at least one user interest;

determining a user interface to display on a display of the at least one portable electronic device, the user interface customized based on the at least one user interest;

transmitting the determined data from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device;

transmitting the determined user interface to the at least one portable electronic device for presentation on the display of the at least one portable electronic device;

informing the at least one portable electronic device of at least one available broadcast at the establishment;

receiving from the at least one portable electronic device a selection of the at least one available broadcast available from the local server at the establishment; and

transmitting the selected at least one available broadcast from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the selected at least one available broadcast operates to transmit the selected at least one available broadcast from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device via the local wireless network.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the transmitting of the selected at least one available broadcast comprises streaming the selected at least one available broadcast from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device via the local wireless network.

4. A method as recited in claim 1,

wherein the determining the at least one portable electronic device uses the local wireless network,

wherein the informing transmits information pertaining to the at least one available broadcasts from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device via the local wireless network, and

wherein the receiving receives the selection of the at least one available broadcasts via the local wireless network.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the informing causes the at least one portable electronic device to display a list of the at least one available broadcast.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

presenting the selected at least one available broadcast that has been transmitted to the at least one portable electronic device.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the presenting operates to produce audio output from the at least one portable electronic device, the audio output being associated with the selected at least one available broadcast that has been transmitted to the at least one portable electronic device.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the retrieved stored data further includes at least user preferences, interests, and usage history.

9. A method for delivering data from a local server to at least one handheld portable electronic device that can couple to a local wireless network while in the vicinity of an establishment, the method comprising:

discovering at least one handheld portable electronic device in the vicinity of the establishment;

retrieving stored data from the at least one handheld portable electronic device, the stored data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine user interests;

determining data to be provided from the local server to the at least one handheld portable electronic device based on the user interests; and

transmitting the determined data from the local server to the at least one handheld portable electronic device,

wherein said transmitting comprises broadcasting the determined data to a plurality of other handheld portable electronic devices, including the at least one handheld portable electronic device, while the handheld portable electronic devices are in the vicinity of the establishment.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the determined data is a selected available broadcast, and wherein the transmitting operates to broadcast or multicast the selected broadcast to at least the at least one handheld portable electronic device.

11. A method as recited in claim 9,

wherein the discovering uses the local wireless network, and

wherein the transmitting operates to transmit the determined data from the local server to the at least one handheld portable electronic device via the local wireless network.

12. A method as recited in claim 9,

wherein the retrieving of the stored data from the at least one handheld portable electronic device is performed via the local wireless network, and

wherein the method further comprises:

presenting the determined data at the at least one handheld portable electronic device.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the presenting operates to produce audio output from the at least one handheld portable electronic device, the audio output being associated with the determined data.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the determined data is one of a plurality of available broadcasts from the local server.

15. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein retrieved stored data pertains to a preference setting on the at least one handheld portable electronic device.

16. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the determined data includes at least one electronic file.

17. A method for transmitting media data at an establishment via a local wireless network, the method comprising:

retrieving data from a plurality of portable electronic devices at the establishment via the local wireless network, the data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

determining media data to be provided at the establishment based on at least the retrieved data, the determined media to be provided at the establishment being dynamically customized based upon the user interests from the plurality of portable electronic devices;

determining a user interface to be transmitted to the plurality of portable electronic devices, the user interface customized based upon the retrieved data; and

transmitting the determined media data over the local wireless network.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the retrieved data further pertains to characteristics, interests, preferences or requests of users of the plurality of portable electronic devices.

19. A method as recited in claim 17,

wherein the retrieved data further pertains to characteristics, interests or preferences of users of the plurality of portable electronic devices, and

wherein the method is automatically performed without any need for user input.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the transmitting includes broadcasting over the local wireless network.

21. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the transmitting operates to transmit the determined media data over the local wireless network to the plurality of portable electronic devices and at least one other portable electronic device at the establishment.

22. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the transmitting comprises streaming the determined media data over the local wireless network to at least the plurality of portable electronic devices.

23. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the retrieving comprises:

discovering the plurality of portable electronic devices in the vicinity of the establishment; and

subsequently retrieving the data from the plurality of portable electronic devices at the establishment via the local wireless network.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the discovering is performed using the local wireless network.

25. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the retrieving comprises:

discovering the plurality of portable electronic devices in the vicinity of the establishment;

receiving a data request from at least one portable electronic device of the plurality of portable electronic devices, the request being initiated by the user of the at least one portable electronic device; and

subsequently, in response to the data request, retrieving the data from the plurality of portable electronic devices at the establishment via the local wireless network.

26. A method for delivering data to a portable electronic device via a local wireless network provided at an establishment, the method comprising:

determining whether the portable electronic device is proximate to the location;

retrieving stored data from the portable electronic device, the stored data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

identifying data to be delivered to the portable electronic device based on the at least one user interest, wherein at least a portion of the identified data pertains to the products or services provided at the location, and wherein at least a portion of the identified data is determined by and obtained via a central data server configured to communicate with the local wireless network; and

delivering the identified data to the portable electronic device over the local wireless network,

wherein the method can operate automatically without request from a user of the portable electronic device.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein the establishment is an airport, and wherein at least a portion of the data content pertains to flight information.

28. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein the establishment is an entertainment venue providing at least a particular entertainment, and wherein at least a portion of the data content pertains to the particular entertainment at the entertainment venue.

29. A method for delivery of data from a server to at least one portable electronic device that can couple to a wireless network while at a location, the method comprising:

discovering a portable electronic device in the vicinity of the location;

retrieving device data from the portable electronic device, the device data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

determining server data to be provided from the server to the portable electronic device based on the user interest;

determining if prior approval of delivery of the server data was obtained by the user based upon the retrieved device data;

immediately prompting the user to approve delivery if it is determined that prior approval of delivery of the server data was not obtained; and

delivering the server data to the portable electronic device over the wireless network if it is determined that approval to deliver the server data is obtained,

wherein said delivering comprises broadcasting the server data to a plurality of portable electronic devices, including the portable electronic device, while the portable electronic devices are in the vicinity of the location,

wherein the determining of the server data to be provided from the server to the portable electronic device comprises (i) determining whether a user of the portable electronic device is a participant to an electronic subscription service, and (ii) determining whether there is any subscription related data to be delivered to the portable electronic device for the user.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the server is a local server, and the wireless network is a local wireless network.

31. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the retrieved stored data includes at least an identifier.

32. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the determined data is an electronic file.

33. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the electronic file is an electronic media file.

34. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein prior to the delivering, the method further comprises determining whether the user of the portable electronic device approves broadcasting the server data to the plurality of portable electronic devices.

35. A method for delivery of data from a server to at least one portable electronic device that can couple to a wireless network while at a location, the method comprising:

discovering a portable electronic device in the vicinity of the location;

retrieving device data from the portable electronic device, the device data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

evaluating the retrieved device data to determine at least one user interest;

determining server data to be provided from the server to the portable electronic device based on the user interest; and

delivering the server data to the portable electronic device over the wireless network,

wherein said delivering comprises broadcasting the server data to a plurality of portable electronic devices, including the portable electronic device, while the portable electronic devices are in the vicinity of the location.

36. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the server data is media data stored electronically in an electronic file.

37. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the server data is delivered without charge to the user of the portable electronic device.

38. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code stored therein for delivery of data from a server to at least one portable electronic devices that can couple to a local wireless network while at a location, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for determining, by the server, at least one portable electronic device in the vicinity of the location;

computer program code for retrieving stored data from the at least one portable electronic device, the retrieved stored data including at least history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

computer program code for evaluating the retrieved device data to determine at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining data to be provided from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device based on the at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining a user interface to display on a display of the at least one portable electronic device based on the at least one user interest;

computer program code for transmitting the determined data from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device;

computer program code for transmitting the determined user interface to the at least one portable electronic device for presentation on the display of the at least one portable electronic device;

computer program code for informing the at least one portable electronic device of a plurality of available channels at the location;

computer program code for receiving from the at least one portable electronic device a selection of one of the available channels available at the location; and

computer program code for transmitting the selected one of the available channels from the server to the at least one portable electronic device using the local wireless network.

39. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code stored therein for delivery of data from a server to at least one portable electronic devices that can couple to a local wireless network while at a location, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for discovering at least one portable electronic device in the vicinity of the location;

computer program code for retrieving stored data from the at least one portable electronic device via the local wireless network, the retrieved stored data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

computer program code for evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining data to be provided from the local server to the at least one portable electronic device based on the retrieved stored data;

computer program code for transmitting a user interface to the at least one portable electronic device, the user interface being customized based upon the retrieved stored data;

computer program code for presenting the determined media data on the at least one portable electronic device, wherein the presenting is dynamically customized based upon the type of user, wherein the type of user is obtained or determined from the evaluated retrieved data; and

computer program code for transmitting the determined data from the server to the at least one portable electronic device using the local wireless network.

40. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code stored therein for presenting media content at a location via a local wireless network provided at the establishment, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for retrieving data from at least one portable electronic device at the location via the local wireless network, the data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

computer program code for evaluating the retrieved data to determine at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining media content to be presented at the location based on at least the retrieved data;

computer program code for transmitting a user interface to the at least one portable electronic device, the user interface being customized based upon the retrieved data;

computer program code for presenting the determined media data on the at least one portable electronic device, wherein the presenting is dynamically customized based upon the type of user, wherein the type of user is obtained or determined from the retrieved data; and

computer program code for causing the determined media content to be presented at the location.

41. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code stored therein for delivering data content to a portable electronic device while at an establishment via a local wireless network provided at the location, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for determining whether the portable electronic device is in the vicinity of the establishment;

computer program code for retrieving stored data from the portable electronic device, the stored data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

computer program code for evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining data content to be delivered to the portable electronic device based on the at least one user interest, at least a portion of the data content pertaining to the products or services provided at the location, and wherein at least a portion of the data is determined by and obtained via a central data server configured to communicate with the local wireless network; and

computer program code for delivering the determined data content to the portable electronic device over the local wireless network while at the location,

wherein the method can operate automatically without request from a user of the portable electronic device.

42. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code stored therein for delivery of data from a server to at least one portable electronic device that can couple to a wireless network while at a location, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for discovering a portable electronic device in the vicinity of a particular location;

computer program code for retrieving stored data from the portable electronic device via the wireless network, the stored data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

computer program code for evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining data to be provided from the server to the portable electronic device based on the evaluated retrieved stored data;

computer program code for transmitting a user interface to the at least one portable electronic device, the user interface being customized based upon the evaluated retrieved stored data;

computer program code for presenting the determined media data on the at least one portable electronic device, wherein the presenting is dynamically customized based upon the type of user, wherein the type of user is obtained or determined from the evaluated retrieved data; and

computer program code for delivering the determined data from the server to the portable electronic device over the wireless network.

43. A portable electronic device capable of interacting with a wireless network at an establishment, comprising:

wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication over a wireless link;

a storage device storing usage or user data;

a user input device; and

a processor operatively connected to the wireless communication circuitry and the user input device, the processor being configured to;

send at least a portion of the usage or user data from the storage device via the wireless communication circuitry, the at least a portion of usage or user data including at least history information regarding media items stored from previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

receive a user interface to be presented on the portable electronic device, the user interface customized based upon at least one user interest, wherein the at least one user interest is determined based upon the history information regarding media items stored from previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

receive at least one available channel that is available from the wireless network at the establishment;

receive a selection of the at least one available channels available via the wireless network at the establishment; and

receive a wireless transmission of the selected available channel over the wireless network at the establishment via the wireless communication circuitry.

44. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 43, wherein the selection of the at least one available channels available via the wireless network is provided via the user input device.

45. A computing device for transmitting data from a server to at least one portable electronic devices that can couple to a wireless network while at a location, the computing device comprising:

a data storage device that stores computer program code, the computer program code includes;

computer program code for discovering a portable electronic device in the vicinity of a particular location;

computer program code for retrieving stored data from the portable electronic device via the wireless network, the retrieved stored data including history information regarding media items received at previously visited establishments and location information identifying the previously visited establishments where the media items were received;

computer program code for evaluating the retrieved stored data to determine at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining data to be provided from the server to the portable electronic device based on the determined at least one user interest;

computer program code for determining a user interface to present on the at least one portable electronic device, the user interface presented being based upon determined at least one user interest;

computer program code for presenting the determined media data on the at least one portable electronic device, wherein the presenting is dynamically customized based upon the type of user, wherein the type of user is obtained from the determined at least one user interest; and

computer program code for delivering the determined data from the server to the portable electronic device over the wireless network; and

a processor, operatively connected to the data storage device, for processing the computer program stored in the data storage device.