Method and device for sourcing and constructing a playlist

• US 9,549,001 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2014
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Golden IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Black Hills Media, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Qureshey, Safi, Sheppard, Daniel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Pablo
• Application Number:
  US14/256,222
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.02, 455/3.06, 455/142, 455/150.1, 455/151.1, 455/151.2, 455/154.1, 455/154.2, 455/158.1, 455/158.2, 455/158.4, 455/186.1, 455/344, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/456.2, 455/556.1, 455/557, 709/217, 709/219, 725/39, 725/45, 725/18
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 : Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/146 : Markers for unambiguous identification of a particular session, e.g. session cookie or URL-encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0006 : where voice calls cross both networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 : Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 : Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 : Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 : Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

An electronic device and method for sourcing and/or constructing a playlist are provided. An assignment of a playlist identifying a plurality of songs is received. A plurality of devices from which the plurality of songs may be retrieved is determined. The availability of the plurality of devices is determined. At least one of the plurality of devices is connected to in order to to access at least one of the plurality of songs. Memory of the electronic device can be scanned for stored songs to incorporate into the playlist.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless electronic device comprising:

receiving an assignment of a playlist identifying a plurality of songs wherein the playlist defines a sequence for playing the identified plurality of songs;

determining a plurality of devices from which the plurality of songs may be retrieved;

determining an availability of the plurality of devices; and

connecting to at least one of the plurality of devices to access at least one of the plurality of songs for providing the playlist to be played according to the defined sequence by default.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist is a list referencing media items arranged to be played in the sequence.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist comprises universal resource locators (URLs) for audio files corresponding to the plurality of songs.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein connecting to at least one of the plurality of devices to access at least one of the plurality of songs comprises accessing at least one of the URLs for the audio file corresponding to the at least one of plurality of songs.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein accessing the at least one of the URLs for the audio file corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of songs comprises downloading a corresponding audio file.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the availability of the plurality of devices is determined from a catalog.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising accessing an alternative URL if accessing the URL for the audio file corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of songs is incomplete.

8. The method of claim 4 further comprising accessing the URL at regular intervals if accessing the URL for the audio file corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of songs is incomplete.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein accessing the URL at regular intervals ends when any one of the plurality of songs is deleted from the playlist.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein accessing the URL at regular intervals ends when any one of the plurality of songs becomes available.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices from which at least one of the plurality of songs may be retrieved are determined from a catalog.

12. An electronic device comprising:

a memory;

a communication interface;

a central processing unit connected to the memory and the communication interface, the central processing unit operable to;

receive a playlist assigned to the electronic device, the playlist identifying a plurality of songs, wherein the playlist defines a sequence for playing the identified plurality of songs and wherein at least one of the plurality of songs is not stored on the electronic device; and

scan the memory for songs to incorporate into the playlist for providing the playlist to be played according to the defined sequence by default.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein scanning the memory for songs to incorporate into the playlist is conducted in response to receipt of an input.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the input comprises the receipt of a button selection.

15. A method of operating a device comprising:

receiving a playlist assigned to an electronic device, the playlist identifying a plurality of songs, wherein the playlist defines a sequence for playing the identified plurality of songs and wherein at least one of the plurality of songs is not stored on the electronic device; and

scanning a memory of the electronic device for stored songs to incorporate into the playlist for providing the playlist to be played according to the defined sequence by default.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the playlist is a list referencing media items arranged to be played in the defined sequence.

17. A method of operating an electronic device comprising:

receiving an assignment of a playlist identifying a plurality of songs wherein the playlist defines a sequence for playing the identified plurality of songs and wherein at least one of the plurality of songs is not stored on the electronic device;

scanning a memory of the electronic device for stored songs to incorporate into the playlist;

determining a plurality of devices from which the plurality of songs may be retrieved;

determining an availability of the plurality of devices; and

connecting to at least one of the plurality of devices to access the at least one of the plurality of songs for providing the playlist to be played according to the defined sequence by default.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the playlist is a list referencing media items arranged to be played in the defined sequence.