Methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating playing of media streams

• US 8,781,299 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2013
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cypress Lake Software, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sitting Man LLC
• Inventors: Morris, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUY THANH
• Application Number:
  US14/089,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20140086558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• Field of Search: 386/241
• US Class Current: 386/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/80 Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for coordinating playing of media streams. In one aspect, an access by a media player to a presentation device to play a media stream is detected. Additionally, presentation focus information is accessed for determining whether the media player has presentation focus for playing the media stream. Further, it is determine, based on the presentation focus information, that the media player has presentation focus for playing the media stream. Still further, in response to determining the media player has presentation focus, it is indicated that the media player is allowed to play the media stream via the presentation device.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a first presentation device having a touchscreen that is capable of providing access to a plurality of applications including a first media player and a second media player in an execution environment, the first presentation device capable of communication with a second presentation device including a display via a wireless local area network on which the first presentation device resides, where execution environment presentation focus information is accessible for identifying whether at least one of the first presentation device or the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation in connection with the applications;

code for detecting access to the first media player to play a first media stream that includes video;

code for indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the first presentation device;

code for indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device;

code for indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via both the first presentation device and the second presentation device;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that a change in presentation focus is capable of being based on at least one of a releasing of a first presentation focus in connection with the first media player, a detected user input indication for giving the second media player second presentation focus, a change in input focus, a change in an attribute of a user interface element, a count of media streams being played, a ranking of media streams being played, a transparency level of at least one of the user interface element, or another user interface element sharing a region of a display of the first presentation device.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the execution environment presentation focus information is capable of being changed based on user input received in connection with a user interface element associated with the first media player.

3. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the detecting access, includes detecting a receipt of a user input in connection with a play icon.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the first presentation device, includes instructing the first media player to change its mode of operation to a play mode.

5. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device, includes causing sending of the first media stream to the second presentation device.

6. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the change in the presentation focus is based on the change in input focus.

7. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the change in the presentation focus is based on the change in the attribute of the user interface element.

8. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the change in the presentation focus relates to at least one of the first presentation device or the second presentation device.

9. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the change in the presentation focus relates to at least one of the first media player or the second media player.

10. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the first presentation device, results in the first media player not being allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device.

11. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device, results in just the first media stream being presented via the second presentation device and the first media player not being allowed to play the first media stream via the first presentation device.

12. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a command interface including a rewind option and a forward option is displayed while the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device, and the execution environment presentation focus information is capable of being changed based on user input received in connection with a user interface element displayed with the command interface.

13. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream both via the first presentation device and the second presentation device, results in the same content being played via the first presentation device and the second presentation device.

14. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the change in the presentation focus is based on the detected user input indication for giving the second media player second presentation focus, where the detected user input indication for giving the second media player second presentation focus includes an access to the second media player to play a second media stream that includes video, and further comprising:

code for indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the second media player is allowed to play the second media stream via the first presentation device;

code for indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the second media player is allowed to play the second media stream via the second presentation device; and

code for indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the second media player is allowed to play the second media stream both via the first presentation device and the second presentation device.

15. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device, results in the first media stream being wirelessly communicated by the first presentation device in, at least in part, an unprocessed form, for being processed for presentation prior to being played via the second presentation device.

16. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream both via the first presentation device and the second presentation device, results in the first media stream being wirelessly communicated by the first presentation device in a processed form such that the first media stream is configured to be played via the second presentation device.

17. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

code for working in association with a first presentation device having a touchscreen that is capable of providing access to a first media player and a second media player in an execution environment, the first presentation device capable of communication with a second presentation device including a display via a wireless local area network on which the first presentation device resides, where presentation focus information is accessible for identifying whether at least one of the first presentation device or the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation;

code for detecting access to the first media player to play a first media stream that includes video;

code for indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the first presentation device;

code for indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that a change in presentation focus is capable of being based on at least one of a releasing of a first presentation focus in connection with the first media player, a detected user input indication for giving the second media player a second presentation focus, a change in input focus, a change in an attribute of a user interface element, a count of media streams being played, a ranking of media streams being played, a transparency level of at least one of the user interface element, or another user interface element sharing a region of a display of the first presentation device.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the computer program product is operable such that a command interface including a rewind option and a forward option is displayed while the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device, results in just the first media stream being presented via the second presentation device and the first media stream played by the first media player not being allowed to be presented via the first presentation device.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device, results in the first media stream being wirelessly communicated by the first presentation device in, at least in part, an unprocessed form, for being processed for presentation prior to being presented via the second presentation device.

21. The computer program product of claim 19 and further comprising code for indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the first presentation device and the second presentation device, resulting in the first media stream being wirelessly communicated by the first presentation device in a processed form such that the first media stream is configured to be presented via the second presentation device.

22. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the first media stream is communicated from a remote node directly to the second presentation device.

23. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the presentation focus information is capable of being changed based on user input received in connection with a user interface element displayed with a command interface element including a rewind icon or a forward icon for changing an operational state of the first media player in connection with the first media stream.

24. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the command interface element is a component of an application associated with the first media player, and capable of being displayed while the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device.

25. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the change in the presentation focus is based on the detected user input indication for giving the second media player a second presentation focus.

26. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the computer program product is operable such that the detected user input indication for giving the second media player the second presentation focus includes an access to the second media player to play a second media stream that includes video, and further comprising:

code for indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the second media player is allowed to play the second media stream via the first presentation device; and

code for indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the second media player is allowed to play the second media stream via the second presentation device.

27. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the computer program product is operable such that, if the first media player does not have first presentation focus in connection with the second presentation device, it is indicated that the first media player is not allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device.

28. An apparatus, comprising:

a first presentation device having a touchscreen that is capable of providing access to a plurality of applications including a first media player and a second media player in an execution environment, the first presentation device capable of communication with a second presentation device including a display via a wireless local area network on which the first presentation device resides, where execution environment presentation focus information is accessible for identifying whether at least one of the first presentation device or the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation in connection with the applications, the first presentation device configured for;

detecting access to the first media player to play a first media stream that includes video;

indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the first presentation device;

indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via the second presentation device;

indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the execution environment presentation focus information, that the first media player is allowed to play the first media stream via both the first presentation device and the second presentation device;

wherein the apparatus is operable such that a change in presentation focus is capable of being based on at least one of a releasing of a first presentation focus in connection with the first media player, a detected user input indication for giving the second media player a second presentation focus, a change in input focus, a change in an attribute of a user interface element, a count of media streams being played, a ranking of media streams being played, a transparency level of at least one of the user interface element, or another user interface element sharing a region of a display of the first presentation device.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the apparatus is operable such that a command interface including a rewind option and a forward option is displayed while the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device, so that the first presentation device is capable of providing remote control of the first media stream that is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device;

wherein the apparatus is further operable such that the indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device, results in just the first media stream being presented via the second presentation device and the first media stream played by the first media player not being allowed to be presented via the first presentation device;

wherein the apparatus is further operable such that the indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device, results in the first media stream being wirelessly communicated by the first presentation device in, at least in part, an unprocessed form, for being processed for presentation prior to being presented via the second presentation device.

30. An apparatus, comprising:

a component including a network interface, the component operable for working in association with a computer program product capable of;

working in association with a first presentation device having a touchscreen that is capable of providing access to a first media player and a second media player in an execution environment, the first presentation device capable of communication with a second presentation device including a display via a wireless local area network on which the first presentation device resides, where presentation focus information is accessible for identifying whether at least one of the first presentation device or the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation;

detecting access to the first media player to play a first media stream that includes video;

indicating, if the first presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the first presentation device;

indicating, if the second presentation device is to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via the second presentation device;

indicating, if both the first presentation device and the second presentation device are to be utilized for presentation based on the presentation focus information, that the first media stream is allowed to be presented via both the first presentation device and the second presentation device;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that a change in presentation focus is capable of being based on at least one of a releasing of a first presentation focus in connection with the first media player, a detected user input indication for giving the second media player a second presentation focus, a change in input focus, a change in an attribute of a user interface element, a count of media streams being played, a ranking of media streams being played, a transparency level of at least one of the user interface element, or another user interface element sharing a region of a display of the first presentation device.